N0.97R 



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.F7 
Copy 1 



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6 




COMPLETE LINE OF 

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SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

Red Cover Series, 25c. Blue Cover Series. 10c. Green Cover Series, 10c. 



No. IR. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL ATHLETIC ALMANAC. 
No. 3R. SPALDING S OFFICIAL GOLF GUIDE. . . . 
No. 6. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL ICE flOCKEY GUIDE. . 
No. 55R. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL SOCCER FOOT BALL GUIDE 
No. 57R. SPALDING'S LAWN TENNIS ANNUAL. . . . 
N0.59R. SPALBiMGS OFFICIAL BASE BALL RECORD. 
No. lOOR. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL BASE BALL GUIDE. 
No. 200R. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL FOOT BALL GUIDE. . 
No. 700R. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL BASKET BALL GUIDE. 
No. IC. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL BASE BALL GUIDE (^5';r,'^'="' 
No. 9. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL INDOOR BASE BALL GUIDE 
No. 7 A. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL WOMEN'S BASKET BALL GU 
No. 12A. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL ATHLETIC RULES (A. A. U.). 



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How to Score [ners") 

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No. lOOR. Official Base Ball Guide 
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How to Bat 
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Knotty Base Ball Problems 
How to Organize a League 
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How to Manage a Club 
How to Train a Teani 
How to Captain a Team 
How to Catch; How to Run 
Bases. New. In one volume 
How to Play the Infield and 
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No. 2P. How to Learn Golf 
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Ball Guide 
No. 93R. How to Play Basket Ball, 

for Women 



Specially Boand Series of Athletic Handbooks 

Any 25 cent "Red Cover" book listed in Spalding's Athletic Library 
will be bound in flexible or stiff covers for 75 cents each ; or any two 10 
cent "Blue Cover" or "Green Cover" books in one volume for 75 cents. 
Mention style binding preferred. 



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3-21 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

Red Cover Series, 25c. Blue Cover Series, 10c. Green Cover Series, 10c. 
Group VI. Skating and Winter Sports | Group X. Games for Women and Giris 

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No. 7A Spalding's Official Women's 

Basket Ball Guide 
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No. 93R. How to Play Basket Ball, 
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Group XII. Miscellaneoas Games 

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No. 13 American Game of Hand Ball 
No. 364 Volley Ball Guide 
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No. 282 Roller Skating Guide 

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No. 65R. How to Wrestle 

No. 78R. How to Punch the Bag 

Group XIV. Calisthenics 

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No. 16R. Team Wand Drill 

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Dumb Bell Drills 
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No. 20R. How to Play Ice Hockey 
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Guide and Winter Sports Almanac 
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No. 12a Spalding's Official Athletic 

No. 27 College Athletics [Rules A AU 

No. 87 Athletic Primer 

No. 156 Athletes' Guide 

No. 182 All Around Athletics 

No. 255 How to Run 100 Yards 

No. 317 Marathon Running [petition 

No. 342 Walking for Health and Com- 

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No. 4P. How to Sprint 

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No. 48R. Distance and Cross Country 

Running 
No. 70R. How to Be aWeight Thrower 
No. 77R. A. E. F. Athletic Almanac 

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No. 94R. Olympic Games of 1920 
No. 95R. Official Handbook New Eng- 
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Group VIII. School Athletics 

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No. 246 Ath. Training for Schoolboys 
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Marching and Physical Training for 

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No. 74R. Schoolyard Athletics 

Group IX. Water Sports 

"Blue Cover " Series, each number 10c. 
No. 128 How to Row 
No. 129 Water Polo 
"Red Cover" Series, each number 25c. 
No. 36R. Speed Swimming 
No. 37R. How to Swim 
No. 91R. Intercollegiate Swimming 
Association Guide 
(Continued on next page. Prices 



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Group XV. 



Gymnastics 



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No. 68R. Horizontal Bar Exercises; 
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No. 7R. Physical Training Simplified 

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No. 23R. Get Well ; Keep Well 

No. 33R. Tensing Exercises 

No. olR. 285 Health Answers 

No. 54R. Medicine Ball Exercises, 

Indigestion Treated by Gymnastics. 

Physical Education and Hygiene 
No. 62R. The Care of the Body 
No. 64R. Muscle Building ; Health by 
Muscular Gymnastics 



Spalding Score Books, Competitors' Numbers, Etc. 

BASE BALL SCORE BOOKS. 
Made in three styles— Morse (Nos. 1, 3, 4, 5 and M); A. G. Spalding style 
(Nos. 2 and S) ; John B. Foster style (No. F). The Spalding style has 
diamond shaped spaces for scoring. 

POCKET SIZE. 

No. 1. Paper cover, Morse style, 7 games Each $0.20 

No. 2. Board cover, Spalding style, 22 games " .50 

No. 3. Board cover, Morse style, 46 games " 1.00 

No. F. Board cover, Foster (reporters') style, 79 games " 1.50 

No. M. Board cover, Morse style, 79 games " 1.50 

No. S. Board cover, Spalding style, 79 games " 1.50 

CLUB SIZE. 

No. 4. Morse style, 8%xl0% in., 30 games Each $2.00 

No. 5. Morse style, 8%xl0% in., 79 games " 3.00 

Score Cards, X game Dozen .10 

BASKET BALL SCORE BOOKS. 

No. 10. Paper cover. 10 games Each $0.20 

No. 11. Board cover, 25 games " -50 

No. A. Collegiate, paper cover, 10 games " .20 

No. B. Collegiate, board cover, 25 games " .50 

No. W. Women's Basket Ball Score Book, 25 games " .50 

TRACK AND FIELD. TENNIS AND C.OLF SCORE CARDS. 
No. TF. Olympic Score Card: for outdoor and indoor track and field 

athletic meets: used in A.A.U. championships Each $0.05 

No. H. Tennis Score Card, endorsed by leading umpires; used in 
national championships, new and Improved design; for five 

sot';: in two rnlors Dozen .75 

No. L. Golf Score Sheets: used in leading tournaments: size 22x28 in.: 

match play or medal play fspecify whioh Is wanted). Each .30 
COMPETITORS' NrMP.RRS. 
Used in A.A.U. , intercollegiatp and interscholastic championship events. 
Made up in sets (1 to 50. 1 to 100, etc.). 

Manila paper Per number Ji0.02 Linen backed Per number $0.12 

Letters, A, B, C, D, etc., on manila paper, for relay races.. Per letter .05 

Any of the above mailed postpaid on receipt of price. 
American Sports Publishing Company, 45 Rose St., New York 

3-21 




With a runner on third base the batter, who is a left-handed hitter, has made an 
effort to cut the ball to right field in such a way as to score the runner, even 
though the batter himself is thrown out at first base. It is not an easy play to 
make. _ If the ball is batted too hard the runner, probably, and not the batter will 
be retired. The batter here has been successful as it is evident that it was all the 
fielding team could do to retire him. 





A base-runner Ii ,. 1 . ui cauyhf hi t^ . i . i and third bases. The ball has been 
thrown by the iiiliclil<,-r, wIid m i imu .li.itdy IkIiiiuI the runner, to the third base- 
man. The latter has his hands ready to receive it. The runner is attempting tol 
stop and turn back. The in fielder, who has thrown the ball, should drop out of 
the play and back up the third baseman if the runner gets too close to the thrower. 
It is presumed that a fielder has come in to back him up. 

Photo N. Y. Daily News. 



rzn r -1 r.— 

I L-' L! li; : ZI! U U i 

' j I — j r — Spalding "Red Cover ' Series of ^ — : ■ — j i ' 

~!~ I Athletic Haxdhooks I "j 

U N0.97R U" 

How to Play 
The Infield a/^d 
The Outfield 

A practical description and explanation of methods for Basemen, 

Shortstop and Outfielders, with team work as the principal 

factor in winning games. Each individual must 

work in conjunction with fellow players 

This book combines instructions for play as an individual with 

instructions for play in connection with all Infield and 

Outfield positions and is based on the latest and 

most approved methods of scientific fielding 

FIVE VOLUMES COMBINED IN ONE 

Illustrated with action pictures of leading players and numerous diagrams 
showing situations which develop in a game 



By John B. Foster 

Editor Spalding's Official Base Ball Guide 



n PUULISHED 1«Y n I 

_ .ZTj AMERICAN SPORTS PUBLISHING CO. rpZ zJ 

— — — ) io Rose Street, New York ( — ' 1 






Copyright, 1921 

V 

BY 

American Sports Publishing Company 
New York 



©CU619009 



m 26 1321 



Contents p^^^ 

Publishers' Note 5 



The Infield 

The Infield 9 

The First Baseman 13 

First Baseman on the Field 19 

The First Baseman's Feet 23 

First Baseman Must be a Sure Catch 27 

What to Expect at First Base 33 

The Second Baseman 43 

Second Baseman on the Field 47 

The Second Baseman and the Runner 51 

Throwing by the Second Baseman 59 

Special Points for the Second Baseman .... 65 

The Shortstop . 69 

Shortstop on the Field 75 

"Backing Up'' by the Shortstop 81 

General Observations on the Shortstop 87 

The Third Baseman 91 

Third Baseman on the Field 99 



Page 

Third Baseman Playing for the Batter 105 

Third Baseman Playing for the Runner . . . .111 

General Play at Third Base 115 

Equipment for Infielders 119 

The Outfield 

The Outfielders 123 

The Positions on the Field 131 

Playing for the Ball 135 

Making the Proper Play 141 

The Field, the Wind and the Sun 147 

Playing for the Batter 153 

Observe the Rules 157 

Keeping in Condition ....... ... 159 

Ground Rules 163 

Books to Read 165 



Publishers' Note 

Base ball playing by the infielders has changed so much 
within the last quarter of a century that it is better now 
for all beginners to be informed as to how all the infield 
positions should be played, and then devote themselves 
specially to the position which they personally decide 
upon. Two of the positions of the infield, namely, second 
base and shortstop, have so many plays alike that the 
only right way is to know everything possible about both 
places. Part of the time the shortstop acts as second 
baseman, and when he is acting as second baseman the 
latter is usually playing in a position that might be called 
the right field shortstop. 

First base is unlike any of the infield positions because 
so many of the players on the side at bat are put out at 
first base. Third base is unlike the other infield positions 
because so few runners get there as compared with the 
other bases, and also for the reason that most of the 
fielding plays at third base are difficult. 

The beginner who plays second base can play it better, 
however, if he knows what the fellow has to do who 
plays first base, shortstop and third base, and that is why 
all this valuable information has been placed in one vol- 
ume. In fact, it is the only up-to-date manner in which 
the subject can be treated intelligently. Every reader is, 
therefore, urged to study carefully the instructions given 
for other positions, whether infield or outfield, as it is the 
best way by which he can improve the general quality of 
liis play in his own special position. 



That is not all. Playing the outfield is so closely re- 
lated to playing the infield that a complete description 
has been given concerning the duties of the left fielder, 
the center fielder and the right fielder. Within one cover 
every beginner in base ball is enabled to read about 
all the everyday needs to play a fine, well-balanced, v^ell- 
thought-out game of base ball. 

The contents, which tell how the game should be 
played, are the result of years of experience in close 
contact with big league clubs. The author, Mr. John B. 
Foster, editor of the Spalding Guide, was taught how to 
play base ball by a big leaguer and has been a part of big 
league base ball as a critic and as an official for more 
than a quarter of a century. He has traveled thousands 
of miles with professional players and has witnessed 
thousands of big league games. For fifteen years Mr. 
Foster was present at the principal training camps of 
the major league teams, which are the best base ball 
schools in the world, and has followed the national game 
yearly from the Southern training trips to the final out 
in the world series. We feel sure that every boy who 
aspires to be a big league baseman or outfielder will find 
much valued instruction in this volume that will be help- 
ful to him in his efforts to reach his goal. 

American Sports Publishing Company. 



THE INFIELD 




A close ])l,iy at first Iia^c and one of the IdiiJ wliich the iinijhrc.- i 
lust haseiiiau is reaching full length to catch a luw throw. The runner is going 
into first base at top speed and the umpire must judge whether the ball was in the 
hands of the outstretched baseman before the runner touched the base. 




The runner who had been at first base tried to steal second. He is shown on the 
ground with his foot outstretched toward second base. He is too late. The second 
baseman has received the ball from the catcher, touched out the runner, and 
tossed the ball back into the infield. The second baseman played for him right, 
making him slide in front of him. Photo N. Y. Daily News. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 9 

THE INFIELD 

All infield positions in the game of base ball are so 
important to the team that a player may shine in one of 
them as well as in another. Whether to be a first base- 
man, a second baseman, a shortstop or a third baseman 
depends upon the natural choice of the boy and the be- 
ginner. He may have a liking for one of the positions 
and prefer to start there. Often he finds out after a 
little experience that he can play one of the other infield 
positions better. Consequently, he moves to that, and 
the experience which he had in the first position invari- 
ably helps him in his new place. 

Second base and shortstop are most alike. 

No two positions on the infield are played exactly 
alike, yet all four have plays which are similar to each 
other. As the game is played now, the two infield posi- 
tions which are most alike are those of second base and 
shortstop. So many things come up in a game, which 
are taken care of either by the second baseman or the 
shortstop in almost the same way, that we can think of 
the second baseman as a right field shortstop, and of the 
shortstop as a left field shortstop, although we know that 
for the sake of convenience, and because it avoids con- 
fusion, it is better to stick to the old names of "shortstop" 
and "second baseman." 

To be a good infielder at any of the bases or in the 
position of shortstop the following things are necessary : 

An infielder must be a quick thinker. Plays have to be 
made at once. 



10 Spalding's Athletic Libj-ary 

He must be quick to start and quick to recover his bal- 
ance. He must be able to shift from one side to the other 
ahnost immediately to recover badly bounding balls and 
poor throws. 

He must have accurate eyesight to follow the ball 
closely when something may cause it to turn from a 
straight course. 

He must have what is known in base ball as a "good 
pair of hands." That is the way in which they refer to 
those hands of which the fingers are long and loose 
jointed, with broad palms which are not too thick across 
the inside of the knuckles. 

Infielder must throw straight and swift. » 

He must be able to throw straight and with swiftness. 
Long distance throwing is not so necessary as it is for 
the outfielder, although it is a good thing to be able to 
throw far, but accuracy is all important. 

He should be able to throw underhand as well as over- 
hand. It is a great help. In certain plays the underhand 
thrower has a great advantage over the overhand or 
round-arm thrower. Any throw is a round-arm throw in 
which the player uses the full length of his arm to make 
the motion to throw before letting go of the ball. 

Long reach is desirable. Occasionally a long body will 
make up for lack of length in the arms. 

He should be able to pivot on either foot. To "pivot" 
means to be able to turn on the ball and toes of one foot, 
and to turn as quickly to the right as to the left, or as 
quickly to the l<^ft as to the right. It does not sound dif- 
ficult, but the player who has been accustomed to pivot 



Spalding s Athletic Library 1 I 

on his right foot only will find that it is. So will the 
player who has used only his left foot as the pivot foot. 

He must be able to run speedily. That is very impor- 
tant. Height is an added advantage. 

A player may be a good infielder if he does not pos- 
sess every one of these qualifications. If there were one 
who had them all he would be an ideal infielder. 

Never give up in base ball. 

In addition to the foregoing physical qualifications, the 
player should be persevering, patient, have plenty of grit 
and a spirit of never-say-die, no matter how the game 
may be going. Remember, in base ball the game is never 
over until the winning half of the final inning has been 
played. 

An infielder is asked to play a different kind of game 
from the outfielder, the catcher, or the pitcher. The out- 
fielder has ground balls to handle, but he has more time 
to judge w^here they may strike the ground and then 
bound to him. The swiftest line drive which goes to the 
outfielder consumes more seconds in its flight than the 
line drives which are caught by the infielder. Particularly 
is this true of the line drives which are batted to the third 
baseman when he is playing within the base lines, or to 
the shortstop when he is playing inside the diamond. 

The first baseman catches some sharp hits batted on 
the line, but they are fewer in the long run than those 
which are batted to the third baseman and the shortstop, 
and probably fewer than those which are batted to the 
second baseman. There are no positive figures to deter- 
mine this, but in the many years in which the writer has 



12 Spalding's Athletic Library 

witnessed the games of all the big league base ball teams 
he is certain that he has seen more line drives batted to 
the left side of the diamond than to the right side. In 
part that may be due to the greater number of right- 
handed batters in the earlier days of base ball. 

Infielders must watch base-runners. 

In addition to his duties as a fielder, the infielder also 
has the opposing base-runners with whom to deal. He 
comes directly into contact with them. From the moment 
that a runner arrives safely at first base there is always 
the possibility that he may be put out at some succeed- 
ing base and the infielder positively must know the proper 
play to make when that situation is thrust upon him. If 
he falters for an instant the opportunity may be lost 
and what seems to be the most insignificant misplay in 
base ball sometimes is the turning point of the game. A 
hesitating throw, because the infielder was unsettled as 
to whom he should have thrown the ball, may start the 
opposing team's winning run. 

That brings up another point — the careful reading of 
the base ball rules. The better the boy knows the rules 
of the game the better he is prepared for anything which 
may come up. Spalding's Official Base Ball Guide not 
only contains the rules, but it contains explanations of all 
of them and is filled with notes which will be of the 
greatest help to the boys and beginners. It is the only 
publication which contains notes that go into the heart 
of all plays on the field, making it plain to the players 
why a certain rule is a part of the game and how to play 
correctly in accordance with what the rule says. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 



THE FIRST BASEMAN 

Of the four infield positions, there is none which has 
changed more in the way that it is played than first base. 
Every beginner in base ball who feels that he would like 
to play first base can be sure that he is as valuable to his 
nine as the beginner who aspires to be a second baseman. 

Once the first base position was looked upon as of not 
much account as a part of the play. It was thought to 
be the position of least consequence on the infield. 
Charles A. Comiskey, owner of the Chicago American 
League club, was the player who changed that. When 
he was first baseman for the famous St. Louis Browns 
who won the championship of the American Association 
in 1885 and in succeeding years he began a new method 
of playing first base. It resulted in first basemen of an 
entirely difi^erent type from that time on. Before Comis- 
key really showed how first base should be played if a 
fellow on a nine was a good batter, perhaps not much of 
a fielder, and could catch a thrown ball well, he was 
chosen to be the first baseman. In amateur games among 
men, and in the games that the boys used to play, it was 
quite common to pick out the slowest, or almost slowest, 
fellow in the club and put him on first base. No greater 
importance was attached to his value than that he should 
be sure to catch the ball when the other infielders threv/ it 
to him. If he failed to catch thrown balls and could bat 
a little he might be moved out to the right field, which 
was considered among the boys to be the least important 
position of all. 



14 Spalding's Athletic Library 

If he stopped some hard ground hits as a first base- 
man now and then, all the better, but if a number of those 
hits went by him no one thought much about it, because 
the first l:)aseman was what might be called a semi- 
catcher. Indeed, when the catcher played back, before 
the rule was changed in 1901, and the ball was still out on 
the first bound the catcher was a harder worked player 
than the first baseman. After looking at one of the lively 
first basemen who play nowadays for a major league 
team, this may seem to be an exaggeration. It is not, 
but is a description of the manner in which they played 
I oldtime base ball before Comiskey proved that there was 

a big opportunity in the infield which had not been 
thought out and correctly demonstrated. 

What Comiskey did to change old ideas. 

Comiskey's most important move was in playing away 
from first base instead of on top of the bag. The best 
way in which to obtain a notion of the difference that it 
made is to go out some afternoon and play first base 
without moving to exceed six feet away from it, and 
almost directly along the line between first base and sec- 
ond base. Imagine, for instance, that you were playing 
first base for your home team and that most of the after- 
noon you located yourself either squarely on the base, or 
at a point on the base line, when there was no runner on 
first base. Furthermore, you stood not much more than 
your own length away from the bag, your feet anchored, 
while some of those fast bounding grounders skipped and 
hopped past you to the outfield. If you can picture that 
you will have a fairly good idea of how first base was 
played before Comiskey thought of his way to play it. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 15 

Instead of standing close to the base, almost on top 
of it, as had been the custom in base ball prior to his 
time, he took his place back of first base, some distance 
to the left of it, and far away from the base line, unless 
there was some situation in the game that made him play 
in. He covered the ground in what might be called a 
short right field. It is probable that he played as deep, 
or deeper, than the first baseman of the present time. 
There is a humorous side to this fact, as Comiskey actu- 
ally played first base in that manner for about half of a 
season before it began to attract attention. The reason 
for that was the general tendency of base ball fans of 
those days never to get excited over a first baseman unless 
he was a hard hitter. From a fielding standpoint, most 
of the cheers came when the first baseman caught a wild 
throw, which was uncommonly wild, or jumped in the 
air and pulled down a hot line drive. It was the result 
of the prevailing belief that a first baseman was a catch- 
ing player, like an outfielder catching flies, for instance, 
but not a fielding player, like a shortstop picking up 
grounders. 

When the base ball folks did awaken to what Comiskey 
was doing for the St. Louis Browns the day of the old- 
fashioned first baseman was ended. No more was it pos- 
sible for some slow-running batter, who could do little 
else than bat, to hold his own as a first baseman. Comis- 
key was stopping what had seemed to be base hits to 
right field, and the newer first basemen were forced to 
do likewise. Of the school of first basemen who began 
to play in the late '70s, the player to remain longest was 
Anson of the Chicago team, but he had an invaluable 



16 Spalding's Athletic Library 

ally on second — Fred Pfeffer — who covered ground for 
both second base and first. ]\Iany a play was saved by 
the agility with which Pfeffer could get over toward first 
base and stop ground hits. He played as close or closer 
to first base as a second baseman than any other player 
of record on a championship team. 

Tenney brought left-handers to the front. 

We are relating this to emphasize the importance to 
beginners of not underrating what a first baseman can 
do, and not underestimating the importance of the posi- 
tion to the remainder of the nine. 

The next great step in the development of playing 
first base was made by Fred Tenney of the Boston 
National League club when he proved that all other 
things being equal, a skillful left-handed first baseman 
is superior to a skillful right-handed first baseman, and 
he proved it more satisfactorily than any man of his time 
or any who had preceded him. There had been left- 
handed first basemen before him. Not many, perhaps, 
and assuredly not one who gave such an exhibition of 
left-handed expertness as he did. 

A right-handed first baseman can stop a ground hit 
every bit as well as a left-handed first baseman, but no 
right-handed first baseman can be in the same natural 
position to throw to second base for a double play, or to 
retire a runner, if the batter has bunted, as a left-handed 
first baseman. When the latter straightens himself up 
with the ball in his hand the line of the throw is directly 
in front of him. This must be plain to anyone. There 
may be three different ways in which a right-handed first 



Spalding's Athletic Library 17 

baseman may be standing after he has recovered a ground 
ball. In each of the three ways he is bound to make a 
quarter to a three-quarter turn, before he can trust him- 
self to throw to second base, and even then the runner 
may be in the line of the throw and unintentionally inter- 
fere with him. So you see he is handicapped doubly. 
There are any number of good right-handed first base- 
men. It is out of the question to expect that all the first 
basemen in base ball must be or can be left-handed, but 
it has been proved that the left-handed first baseman has 
a natural advantage over his right-handed brother. 

One right-hand advantage. 

On the other hand there arises a play on which the 
right-handed thrower has the better of it. That is to 
home plate to catch a runner who is trying to score from 
third base. The unfortunate part to the right-hander of 
that play is that it may not happen once in ten games, 
v.'hile the plays from the first baseman to the second 
baseman may happen ten times in three games. It is an 
awkward throw as a rule for the left-handed first base- 
man from any point on the infield between his position 
and that of the pitcher to the catcher at home plate, and 
it is not infrequent to see the left-handed first baseman 
throw the ball to the ground or over the catcher's head 
when he tries to get a runner scoring from third. 




First baseman playing for a high throw with both hands. Some- 
times the first baseman will try for the ball with one hand. It is 
so important that he get the ball at first base that he must always 
try for it. (Kelly, Giants.) 




Spalding's Athletic Library 19 



First Baseman on the Field 

The game is about to begin and the first baseman goes 
to his fielding stand. What position shall he take? 

Immediately begin the duties of 
the new style first baseman. In the 
old days there were iio regular 
hunters and the first baseman did 
not have to watch for them. If the 
first batter is known to be a good 
bunter and a good ground hitter 
® X/ also, it will not be so much the duty 

™7n''°vir"unner'"^ fe "f the first bascmau to play for him 
l^TS^, for batte^nt «" the infield as that of the third 
about" ^.err%h?"s'econd I'aseman, the pitcher and the 
baseman plays. Catcher. The first baseman should 

go to a point behind the base line which runs from first 
base to second base, and station himself at least twelve 
or fifteen feet to the left of first base. By "left" is meant 
toward second base. If the first baseman is not equally 
expert with each h?nd in playing a ground ball it is best 
to protect his weak side. That is, if he is not so good 
with his left hand, to edge toward the foul line ; if he is 
slow with his right hand, to get over a little further 
toward second base. In this position he becomes a quar- 
ter right fielder. If he is very fast he will dare to play 
back further than a slow first baseman. This position is 
right when there is no one on first base, or when second 
base is filled, or when there is a runner on first base and 
the batter is to be played for without bothering much 



20 Spalding's Athletic Library 

iibout the runner on first. The latter happens at times 
with two men out. 

If the first batter has succeeded in reaching first base 
safely and has become a base-runner the first baseman 
must move up to the bag while the pitcher has the ball 
in hand, or while the ball is in play on the infield, in order 
that he may be a direct aid to the pitcher to assist in try- 
ing to prevent the base-runner from obtaining a good 
lead for the purpose of stealing second base. During 
this period the baseman plays very close to the bag. 

First baseman to handle bunt hits. 

It will also be his duty, if the bat- 
ter following is expected to bunt 
for a sacrifice, to field the bunt un- 
less the pitcher has signified to him 
that he will take care of the ball.^ 
There always should be a perfect 
understanding on this play, for 
some very foolish situations are the 
A — First baseman inside result without such an undcrstaud- 

diamond for bunt. B — ' 

Pitcher (dotted line, D) j,^^ 7|-,g pifchcr, for instaucc, may 

covering first base or, re- o i ' 'J 

verse, pitcher (dotted line f^g](j the ball perfectly and pick it 

C) going for bunt, nrst i j l 

baseman remaining at B. ^p tO thrOW tO firSt baSe, Ouly tO 

find the first baseman standing close to him. The first 
baseman may get in the way of the pitcher, or the situ- 
ation may be reversed, unless there is agreement between 
the players as to what they are to do. The second base- 
man is supposed to fill in when the first baseman leaves 
the bag, but sometimes the second baseman is forgetful, 
and at other times there may be a following play for 




Spalding's Athletic Library 21 

which he must be near second. In any event pitcher and 
first baseman must know how they are to act when the 
sacrifice is to be killed. In the play to kill the sacrifice 
the left-handed first baseman shows to advantage over 
the right-handed first baseman. 

When there is a runner on third base and one on 
second, or when the situation is very tense, with a runner 
oil third base and the batter is almost known to be ready 
to try for a squeeze play, the first baseman advances 
well within the diamond between the first base line and 
the pitcher, where he stands ready to field the ball on a 
bunt. He also takes the same position when there are 
runners on second base and first base, and the batter 
is expected to sacrifice. In this situation there is nothing 
to be gained by playing immediately close to first base. 
Nor does it matter so much what becomes of the batter. 
The principal thing to do is to get the runner out if pos- 
sible who is nearest home. It is an old story, but a true 
one in base ball, that runs win games, and if you can put 
a player out who is at third base you have destroyed 
three-quarters of a run right there. 

Three principal shifts at first base. 

The three principal positions or shifts of the first 
baseman are as just outlined, viz. : 

First — With first base unoccupied, back of the 

base line. 
Second — With first base occupied, on the bag 

as an auxiliary to the pitcher. 
Third — With a sacrifice looming under certain 
conditions, within the infield. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 



23 



The First Baseman's Feet 

When reference is made to the use of the feet by a 
ball player perhaps the first thought will be, "How ab- 
surd. No one plays base ball with his feet, except to 
run." But it is not absurd. It is one of the most neces- 
sary qualifications of being a good first baseman ; and 
it is a point that has been, and is, overlooked almost con- 
stantly. 

Every beginner at first base should learn not to cross 
his feet while playing. There is a right way and a 
wrong way to touch the bag. The left foot and not the 
lidit foot is the one to be used to touch the base in order 

o 

to make put outs. Offhand you may be confident in 
your own mind that you always use the proper foot, 
yet when you come to note carefully whether you are 
doing so, you may discover that you have been running 
up to the base to touch it with the right foot. In this 
case that happens to be the incorrect foot, and you have 
not been aware of your own mistake. 

Presuming that you are about to 
receive a throw, always bear in 
mind that you should so station 
yourself as to be able to keep your 
body inside of the base by standing, 
if possible, on the fair side of the 
foul line. A wild throw will drive 
you out of your position if the ball 

Play inside, as at A. Do ovpr vniir head In that 

not play outside, as at B. paSSCS OVCr yOUr nCdU. Ill LUdL 

use,"a°s a? c '" *''°"' "^ casc you have no alternative but to 




24 Spalding's Athletic Library 

make the play in the best way that you can, because it 
is first duty to try to block the ball, even though you are 
unable to catch it. 

The proportion of wild throws to good throws at the 
most is not greater than five in one hundred to first base, 
which is a fine credit to the accuracy of American throw- 
ers. Probably it is not as large as that, which merely 
increases the ' importance on your part of playing the 
base with the proper foot. There will be many low 
throws. It is evident that if there are low throws, and 
a number of them, the first baseman cannot play well 
for a ball thus thrown and at the same time be trying 
to touch the base with his right foot. The longest and 
best reach is gained by stretching forward as far as pos' 
sible with the left foot in contact with the base. It is 
a natural position to recover the ball and it is a posi- 
tion which will not bring the base-runner when he crosses 
the bag into "contact with the first baseman. It is not 
uncommon to notice among those who are beginning to 
play first base a disposition to fumble around with the 
right foot for the base when they are hard pressed to 
make a play. That is called "crossing the feet." It is 
the outcome of a wrong beginning in which the first 
baseman, in playing off the bag for a grounder, or for a 
low throw after he had got the ball, tried tO' kick back to 
touch first base with his right foot. 

IMany young first basemen have come into major league 
teams bringing that bad habit with them. The first fault 
tliat was found with them was the way they used their 
feet and they were told to change their style and never 
to think of touching first base with the right foot unless 



I Spalding's Athletic Library 25 

they happened to be crossing the base in making a play 
in which they were trying to beat the runner to the bag 
after they had stopped the ball. It is not always possible 
to time one's step accurately enough in plays of that char- 
acter to place one foot on the base as against the other. 
The principal idea is to get to the base as quickly as 
possible in advance of the runner. 

Only one foot is right. 

It will be evident to the beginner who tries both methods 
of using the feet that only one is right. Using the left 
foot as the "jabbing foot" always gives greater freedom 
and wider area in which to play. Place the left foot on 
the base and reach out to assure yourself of the fore- 
going fact. Then try with the right foot and notice 
v.'hat an unsatisfactory position you have assumed as 
compared to that which you had when you touched the 
base with the left foot. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 27 



First Baseman Must be a Sure Catch 

The player at first base must be able to catch a thrown 
ball with fair certainty in any kind of a position in which 
lie may find himself. That is one qualification that he 
must have if he lacks some others. He may not be as 
good a fielder of ground balls as some players, he may 
be a slower runner and he may not be quite as good a 
batter, but he must be able to catch a thrown ball well. 

To help him catch a thrown ball he has the advantage 
of a first baseman's glove, or mitt, which gives him as- 
sistance that the old ball players lacked some years ago. 
-First of all, there was the bare hand in which to catch 
a thrown ball, and, oh, how they used to sting once in 
awhile, especially if the day was a little cool. Then 
there came the first baseman's glove, which was an im- 
provement, but now there is the wonderful first baseman's 
mitt, a big, comfortable pad that almost catches the ball 
without human assistance. 

Do not take this last statement too literally, however, 
and figure on a mechanical catch. It is probably true 
that practise will assist in learning to catch a thrown 
ball better, but it is also true, and very true, that catching 
a thrown ball is more a natural accomplishment than one 
which is acquired artificially. There are boys and men 
who can catch a thrown ball better than others, and some 
of them are playing professional base ball. There are 
second basemen, for instance, who would not make good 
first baseman, because their weakness is in handling a 
thrown ball poorly. They manage to get on at second 



28 Spalding's Athletic Library 

base, especially as they are almost without exception 
good fielders of ground balls and excellent catchers of 
short, low flies, which are difficult to handle, but they 
do have a weakness on thrown balls and it is a weakness 
which usually is known, for ball players quickly perceive 
those things. 

The natural catcher of thrown balls. 

The young player, the palms of whose hands are more 
concave than those of the other fellows, whose fingers 
are long and supple, whose knuckles bend easily, and 
whose hands are not thick through, is a natural catcher 
of thrown balls. He has some physical qualifications of 
a good first baseman. Provide him with a mitt and let 
the mitt become shaped to his hand and it is sa^fe to say 
that he will make a good first baseman for the team. 

It is advisable for him to practise catching the ball 
with one hand, but it is not a good idea to make a practise 
of catching the ball with one hand when two would be 
the right thing. The gloved hand should be used for the 
one-hand catch. The first baseman's mitt bends easily 
enough to permit the hand to be doubled, and many wild 
throws can be saved and many bad grounders blocked it 
one-hand play is perfected. If the first baseman is a 
left-handed first baseman and fairly successful as a one- 
hand catch, he can reach far into the diamond in a 
close play to get the ball, because the glove is on his 
right hand toward the direction from which the throw 
is to come and his reach, combined with the one-hand 
catch, may be just the thing which completes the play and 
retires the batter. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 29 

Time will be well occupied in the practise of catching 
low throws. Get the infielders to throw low to you if 
they will. Some are afraid to do so for fear they will 
acquire the habit of throwing low. If they are unwilling 
to throw low, get one of the outfielders to give you 
practise, or a friend, for the first baseman who can play 
low throws accurately finds great favpr in the eyes of 
his fellow players. Alany and many an error he will 
save them and many and many a game he will save his 
team. Most of the plays at first base demand speed, 
and the man who throws the ball has no time to take 
aim. It is "grab and throw" with him. A good first 
baseman will tell his fielders to throw and trust to him 
to get the ball. When all have confidence of that char- 
acter it is astonishing to note how the speed increases onj 
both sides. 

Wonderful skill of first basemen. 

Many times a first baseman will catch fifty throws 
without dropping the ball. Some first baseman have made 
as many as three hundred plays without missing one. The 
boy and the beginner may not do this, although it is 
astonishing to note what some boys and youths have done 
in perfect playing of first base. For their reach and 
the size of their hands they are almost as perfect as their 
elders. 

There is another play in which the first baseman must 
take his part. It is the catching of foul flies. To be 
successful in this the first baseman must be an infielder 
with some outfield skill. Many of the foul flies which 
the first baseman may handle drop to the ground as far 



30 



Spalding's Athletic Library 



■'fc-?4^ 




Double play — second to short to first. Broken line indi- 
cates course of ball as having been hit to second baseman, 
relayed to second, where shortstop covers bag, and then 
relayed to first. Continuous line indicates where shortstop 
left position to cover bag. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 31 

back as the stands on the larger fields. That is the 
equivalent of two-thirds of the way between first base 
and the right fielder. These fly hits are too far to one 
side for the right fielder to get them and the first base- 
man must learn to handle them. Plenty of lightly batted 
flies fall in his vicinity and these are the difficult little 
catches on which so many expert infielders fail. There is 
no fixed rule by which to get them. Speed is necessary, 
proper judgment of a fly ball is also necessary, and the 
mjtt is a faithful helper once the first baseman becomes 
accustomed to it. It does not take long to learn how 
to use it to the best advantage, and some boys can make 
wonderfully good catches with it. 

The first baseman must throw the ball as well as catch 
it. His hardest throw is from first base to third base. 
It is not a throw which occurs very often, but when made 
at the right time is one of the deadliest of infield plays, 
because it retires a runner at the base nearest home. 
His most accurate throw must be on bunted balls, be- 
cause that play must be made on the instant. Some of 
the time it is not an overhand throw, but the ball is tossed. 
Throwing the ball is an art which comes from practise. 
It is a natural use of the mu5cles, and the force or speed 
with which a ball is thrown is dependent upon muscular 
strength, while direction and accuracy are the result of 
eyesight, good or fair, as possessed by the player. There 
is more than one style of throwing and it is well to try 
to learn all of them. You can't tell when a toss may be 
better than a long, overhand motion. 



32 



Spalding's Athletic Library 




Double play— second baseman to first. Broken line shows 
• course of ball hit to second baseman, who touched base 
and then relayed ball to first. Continuous line shows dis- 
tance covered by second baseman to touch second base 



Spalding's Athletic Library 33 



What to Expect at First Base 

From every position on the field the throw to the first 
baseman has its own identity. If throws were aHve they 
might almost be said to have personaHty. That is, there 
would be contrary throws and throws of good manners 
and amiable disposition. If there were any connection 
between base ball and elves or sprites, or any of the 
"little folk" of the air, it could be believed that the ball 
is bewitched at times. It seems to act that way. 

There is very much difference in the throws of a 
fielder and in the manner in which the ball comes to the 
player who is to catch it. Some fielders throw a light 
ball. The ball seems almost to insist on being caught. 
It rests easily when it strikes the glove and 'remains in it. 
Other fielders throw a heavy ball. It strikes the glove 
with force, feels like a dead weight in the hands, is never 
easy fo catch and though "heavy," bounds out. 

Many of the easiest throws to the first baseman come 
from second base. The shorter distance has something 
to do with it, because the second baseman, even if he 
puts power on the ball, must allow a little for being close 
to the first baseman. The most difficult throws from 
second base are those in which the second baseman has 
to hurry without taking any aim. They are likely to 
come high, low, to either side, and to be snapped or 
hurried. 

Hard and high throws, as well as many low ones, 
are shot across the diamond by the shortstop. He gets 
the ball at as many difficult angles as the second baseman, 



34 Spalding's Athletic Library 

but as he has to throw further, is hurried more and is 
more inchned to be inaccurate for that reason. 

The third baseman often is the best thrower of all. It 
is impossible to succeed at third base without a good 
arm, and when the ball is sent across the diamond it is 
the intent to see that it finds its mark. If he throws low, 
the first baseman must be careful to play the ball to the 
very best of his skill, and block it if he can. There is 
only the right fielder to back up the first baseman, and 
he cannot get well back of him until after a long run. 
If a third baseman throws high, so high that the first base- 
man cannot get the ball, it is quite sure to be a serious 
error. Most of the throws from the catcher are very 
fast and on a line. Whether the catcher is trying to get 
a batter at first base, or to catch a base-runner napping, 
he must be nimble and quick. 

Pitchers have become better throwers. 

There was a time when the pitcher bothered the first 
baseman a little by poor throwing. All in all, the pitchers 
are better throwers to first base than they were some 
years ago. They have to be, because watching first base 
is now one of the first principles of the game, and if 
tlie pitcher does not watch bases well, which means that 
he must throw to them well, he is lacking in a qualifica- 
tion which he should proceed to improve upon quickly. 

When it is possible to do so face the point from which 
the ball is coming and hold up your hands as a guide to 
the thrower. If the play is quick, there will be no chance 
to do anything of that kind. If you can do it, even as 
little as it may seem to be, it will assist in providing a 



Spalding's Athletic Library 35 

target for the throw. Help out a slow throw by reach- 
ing for the ball to your limit. Help to put a fast runner 
out by reaching as far as possible for the ball. If the ball 
settles securely in your hands before he can touch the 
base it does not matter how far you are extended, so that 
your foot is on the base. 

When the throw is low, try to smother the ball on the 
ground before it has a chance to bound up. To "smother" 
Ihe ball means to cover it on the ground with the mitt so 
that it cannot bound. Even if you do not get the runner 
cut it is safe to say that you will have stopped a wild 
throw, and that is as important. H the ball is smothered 
not infrequently you will be able to get hold of it in such 
a manner that it can be caught. You will be able to get 
your glove between the ball and the earth. 

A left-handed batsman will give the first baseman more 
trouble than a right-handed batsman. There are right- 
handed batsmen who hit naturally to right field. If you 
belong to a league try to get them in your mind as quickly 
as possible and try to remember their faces when they 
go to bat. Left-handed batsmen are prone to cut the ball 
down the right field baseline and when they bunt are 
frequently the best of hunters. They will keep a first 
baseman in action most of the time. Slow pitchers will 
more likely be batted toward right field than left field by 
left-handed batters. Curves which are caught by the bat 
just as the ball breaks go scuttling toward first base at 
a tremendous clip. 

Take note of the field so that you will observe where 
the second Ijound on a batted ball usually starts. Almost 
all base ball diamonds have their line of break for the 



36 



Spalding's Athletic Library 




Double play — shortstop to first baseman. Broken line 
shows course of ball to shortstop; continuous line indi- 
cates shortstop runping distance to second base and relay 
of ball to first is shown by broken line from second to 
first. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 37 

tall. If you are too far back, the bound will come too 
low; if too far forward, the bound will be short, which 
IS one of the meanest types of bounders to handle. 

You must act in unison with the pitcher to hold the 
base-runner on first base. This means that you will have 
to do a great deal of running to and fro when there is 
a runner on first base. While the pitcher has the ball 
in hand you must be on the base, but you must not leave 
the base until you are sure that the pitcher has delivered 
the ball. Should you do so, he is likely to turn sud- 
denly and only to find that you have run down the base 
line and the runner has followed suit, but as his throw 
went with the turn the ball -is on its way to right foul 
territory as fast as it can travel. 

With a weak-throwing catcher keep the runner as close 
to first base as possible. Two extra steps for the runner 
probably will mean a stolen base, and stolen bases often 
develop into runs. The runner will follow you from the 
base. If you go a short distance, so will he. If you go 
a long distance he is likely to do the same thing. Keep 
him tight to the base when a run threatens. 

Some time ago there was a play attempted by which 
the second baseman edged over toward first base while 
the first baseman played away from the base. The second 
baseman would make a sudden dash for the base while 
the first baseman remained standing. Occasionally a 
runner was caught that way. It is almost impossible to 
make such a play now. The coacher keeps the runner 
informed and in addition to that the first baseman must 
be on hand all of the time to be the second man in play 
where the pitcher is trying to start something. The first 
baseman always should be ready for a double play. 



38 Spalding's Athletic Library 

Reference has been made to an agreement being had 
with the pitcher concerning the fielding of a bunt. If 
it has been arranged that the pitcher is to try to get 
the ball the first baseman must be sure to hold first 
base. If he does not, both pitcher and catcher may 
endeavor to field the hit. Sometimes the catcher can 
get it a little better than the pitcher. Whichever gets it 
will pick up the ball to throw hurriedly to first. If the 
first baseman is not on the base the batter will get to 
it with ease. The second baseman may be able to gtt 
over to first in such an emergency, but he cannot be 
criticised if he fails to do so, because he is expected to 
guard his own position in case the batter should decide 
not to bunt but to bat the ball hard. 

Pitcher and first baseman must have understanding. 

If the first baseman is to field a bunt he should be 
sure that the pitcher understands that he is to cover 
first base instead of the baseman. Sometimes when a 
bunt is expected to be made with a runner on second 
base the first baseman, who is standing at first base, 
runs far into the infield toward home plate to get the 
ball. The pitcher looks out for the ball, if it rolls toward 
third base, and the] second baseman fills in at first base. 
The play is to get the runner from second base to third 
base and if there is a failure to do so for any reason 
the opportunity is open to turn around and make a play 
on the batter and retire him at first base. 

Many infield flies which would seem to belong to a 
player in another position are taken by the first baseman. 
The reason for this is the first baseman's mitt. All other 



Spalding's Athletic Library 39 

things being equal, it is believed that if the first baseman 
can get underneath the ball he will make a surer catch 
with his big mitt than an infielder who is playing with 
a glove which does not have so much surface. 

When there are two out the first baseman plays in 
his regular position back of the base and in short right 
field unless there is a runner on third base. Sometimes 
when there is a runner on third base the first baseman 
plays away from the bag. It depends upon the score. 
It is also the case that the first baseman may play away 
from the bases when there is a runner on first base, 
another runner on third and a batter at the plate who 
is a hard and dangerous right field hitter. It is considered 
to be better policy to make sure of the batter than to 
worry about the third-base runner. If the batter should 
hit savagely, with one run needed to tie the score or a 
run needed to win with a score tied, and hit toward first 
base it is certain the first baseman would have a better 
chance to retire the side when playing away from the 
base than when playing directly on it. Furthermore, 
nothing would be gained by holding the runner to first 
base if the score was a tie, because if the runner scored 
from third that would win the game. 

When there is a runner on third base and less than 
two hands out, it is not usually good policy for the first 
baseman to try to catch a deep foul to right field. The 
moment that he catches the ball the runner may try to 
score, even though it was a foul fly. If the first baseman 
must turn around to throw home, and it happens about 
seven times out of ten that he must do so, the throw 
may be poor, or too late, and the runner will have made 



40 



Spalding's Athletic Library 




A double play that is occasionally made — pitcher to first 
base to second base. It must be remembered, however, that 
the second part of the play is not a force and the runner 
must be touched with the ball. It is necessitated only 
when second base is not covered in time and there would 
be danger of not only the batter running to first being safe, 
but also the runner who was on first base being safe 
because of speed in getting to second. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 41 

his tally with comparative ease. If the foul is not caught 
the runner must go back to third base and remain there 
until the pitcher has the ball in possession again, just as 
he would on any foul which was not caught by the fielder. 

Base-runner by holding base prevented double play. 

One important play that calls for quick thinking 
occurred in a world series. 

A runner was on first, when the batsman hit a grounder 
to the second baseman who was playing almost half 
way between second base and first base. The second 
baseman threw to the first baseman, who while standing 
on the base, touched the base-runner who had not made 
any attempt to go to second despite the oncoming runner 
who had just hit the ball. Many of the spectators, and 
even the first baseman, who was comparatively new, as- 
sumed that a double play had occurred and were 
astounded when the umpire called the base-runner safe 
who had held his base, the runner to first being the only 
one to be called out. 

To obtain a double play the procedure should have been 
as follows : The first baseman should have stepped off 
the base to receive the ball. Then he should have touched 
the runner, no matter where he stood, on the base or off, 
the first baseman still keeping his feet away from the 
base. That being done, the first baseman by touching the 
base before the batter arrived there would have com- 
pleted a double play. When he touched the base before 
touching the runner who was to go to second he ended 
the force play. With the batter out, the runner who 
was on first base originally was entitled to remain there. 




Blocking a runner at MCinul base in such a manner that the 
fielder is likely to come into collision with the runner. Not a 
good way to play the base, because it is apt to be harmful both 
to runner and baseman. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 43 



THE SECOND BASEMAN 

Second base has been called the "keystone" position, 
and in a way it is. It may be likened to the center stone 
that holds the arch of base ball together. 

The second baseman must be observant of every play 
in a ball game. In most of the plays he is directly or 
indirectly concerned. He is always concerned when there 
is a runner on second base, when there is a player at bat, 
when there is a ball to be fielded from the outfield if 
by chance he is a good thrower, or even better, an unus- 
ually good thrower. He is concerned when there is a 
runner on first base, and while he does not play the posi- 
tion of shortstop, he is concerned in most of the plays 
which fall to the lot of the shortstop, as these two infield 
positions represent more joint play and more team work 
than any other two positions in the infield. 

In addition to being wide awake every minute the 
second baseman must be speedy of foot, expert in judg- 
ing ground balls, an accurate thrower — it is important 
that accuracy of throwing be more considered than power 
of throwing — quick in motion, especially so in the use 
of the arms, a good catcher of thrown balls, which are 
not always thrown with the utmost of precision, and a 
good thinker. A mechanical second baseman can play 
base ball, but he cannot play it to the high state of per- 
fection which will be displayed by a second baseman who 
thinks all of the time. 

He should be cool, with presence of mind, and if he 
can think out what the opposing players are trying to 



44 Spalding's Athletic Library 

do so much the better. It is not to be expected that he 
will be a mind reader, but if he studies his opponents he 
will soon begin to play right for them and, so far as the 
average game of base ball Is concerned, that will mean 
that he will be playing right most of the time. 

Requisites for a second baseman. 

It is not necessary that a second baseman be of any 
special height. A taller first baseman does have an ad- 
vantage. There have been short second basemen who 
were as good as any in base ball, any except the star 
players. There have been thin second basemen and stout 
second basemen. There have been second basemen who 
were broad shouldered, and second basemen who were 
stoop shouldered. There have been second basemen who 
were "roly poly," and other second basemen who were 
all angles. Most of them have made good. On the 
whole there have been more second basemen of medium 
height who were the stars in major league base ball 
than there have been second basemen of unusual stature. 

Good hands and good feet are prime requisites. Good 
condition is always necessary, because the second base- 
man of all the players must be on the move. He cannot 
play, and play well, in one spot. He must be on the base, 
off the base and all around that section of a ball field 
of which second base is the center. Long fingers are 
fine for a second baseman. The glove helps him on his 
glove hand, but there is nothing better to trap the ball 
in the gloved hand than long, loose jointed fingers on 
the ungloved hand. They fold over the ball and hold it 
securely. A ball poorly grasped is the start of many of 



Spalding's Athletic Library 45 

the errors which do so much to lose ball games of im- 
portance in championship races. 

Throw accurately to the catcher. 

The second baseman will have to throw the ball to the 
first baseman a great deal, and his longest throw will be 
to the catcher on return throws to the plate. He should 
be able to make the throw across the diamond with as 
much accuracy as the catcher makes his from behind 
the bat. A catcher who cannot make this throw will 
not last in the professional circuits, for it will be only a 
question of time when his weakness is found out, and 
opposing teams will try double steals with confidence. A 
second baseman who cannot return the throw to the plate 
must meet a similar fate. 

It is also a very good thing if the second baseman 
is a field general. It may result in his being appointed 
captain of his team. It is an advantage to have the team 
captain play at second base. It is not positively neces- 
sary, but it helps, because the second baseman is so 
closely related to those plays which have to do with the 
advancing of runs, and the scoring of runs. The second 
baseman is supposed to be in touch with the bench, and 
know what plans are in the manap^er's mind to keep the 
other team from scoring, when it threatens to do so. 

If the second baseman is made field captain he should 
apply himself more than ever to the task of thinking out 
plays and thinking out ways to cancel the good plays of 
the other fellows. More than that, the second baseman, 
if captain, should not be like one or two captains of major 
league history who after they were appointed to the posi- 



46 Spalding's Athletic Library 

tion were so overcome with the responsibility of it that 
they forgot to give directions at the very moment when 
directions were needed. That kind of captaining does 
not help. 

Sscond baseman must time his steps. 

It is essential that the second baseman know his own 
speed. He will have so many hits of so many different 
kinds coming to him that he must learn to measure his 
ability to arrive at a certain point on time. There can 
be no hit-and-miss playing around second base. If there 
is, the second baseman will soon learn to regret it. A 
good second baseman does not grope for the ball. He 
comes up with it on the bound, if it is within his ability 
so to do, and he makes his reach for it at the most timely 
moment of probable rebound from the earth. Because 
he can play the ball that way he makes the game much 
easier for himself. 

There is no infielder, not even the shortstop, who will 
be likely to be a part of more double plays. The second 
baseman's skill in starting double plays cannot be made 
too perfect. The chances are that practise will assist 
in helping to get the ball away quickly on throws. That 
is one of the things where practise does come in handy. 
Do not think that practise is not good at all times. The 
only thing to do is not to over practise when the exercise 
of practising is severe. Too much hard throwing is bad. 
A little is a good thing to keep the arm in condition and 
the eye in trim. 




Spalding's Athletic Library 47 



Second Baseman on the Field 

When the game begins, if the 
first batter happens to be a left-hand 
hitter, the second baseman usually 
plays well over toward first base, 
about fifteen feet behind the base 
line that runs between first base 
O \ys/^ and second base. Sometimes if the 

A-Usuai®position of sec- batter is a hard hitter the second 
on^basiror when " he°"il bascman will play deeper. If the 
iS^bLem^^mov'^el batter is a pronounced center field 
over to B when there is a hitter, as somc battcrs are, the sec- 

runner on second unless ' ' 

batter is left-handed. qj^^j bascman will play moTC toward 

second base than toward first base. Now and then a 
second baseman has been daring enough to play right 
close to second base, although it is better to give the 
shortstop opportunity to cover that ground, because the 
batter, even though he be a regular center field hitter, is 
likely to meet a curve or a straight ball just right and 
pull the ball hard toward right field. 

If the first batter is a right-hand batter the second 
baseman will take up his stand about twenty feet away 
from second base, perhaps twenty-five feet. He will not 
go further than that if the batter is known to be a left 
field hitter. If the batter is reputed to be a right field 
hitter as well as a left field hitter \i is best for the second 
baseman to move to the position which he would occupy 
for a right field batter. A right-hand batter who can hit 
to right field generally hits hard and the second baseman 



48 Spalding's Athletic Library 

will find that the grounders which such a batter knocks 
along the turf, are speedy balls which are not easy to 
handle. 

The changes made in the pitching rules appear to have 
changed the manner in which second base should be 
played. There had been a custom on the part of the 
second basemen when a speedy pitcher was on the plate 
to play further out than when a slow pitcher was doing 
the work. Most of the batters met the ball so much 
harder that it became best to play a deep second base. 
If the second baseman advanced too close to the line the 
ball went by him at a speed which prevented accurate 
handling of it. All previous ideas about playing second 
base will have to undergo a little modification if the 
pitchers are going to be hit as hard every year as they 
were in the first year of the changed rules. There is no 
doubt about this. 

Playing on the infield. 

When there is a runner on third base, and no one out, 
or perhaps one out, the manager of the team may wish 
the second baseman to play within the infield line, hoping 
that a bounder may be stopped and the runner be thrown 
out at the plate if he tries to score. If he does not try 
to score but is held in check, so much the better, and 
better yet if the batter is thrown out at first base. 

A batter who is a fast runner but who is not a hard 
hitter sometimes may be stopped by having the second 
baseman play closer to the line than usual. Before this 
is undertaken the side in the field should be sure that 
there is an understanding between the second baseman 



Spalding's Athletic Library 49 

and the pitcher. Should there fail to be, the batsman 
may cut a slow ball past the second baseman and upset 
all the plans made against him. It may be a hit, too, 
which the second baseman would have . stopped had he 
been playing back where it was customary for him to 
play. That adds to the success of the other team. 

When there is a runner on first base and the second 
baseman has reason to believe that the runner will steal, 
he should not get too far away from the base, if he is 
the fielder who is to cover the bag when the catcher 
throws. If he incorrectly estimates the distance between 
him and the base, in his haste to get over to second he 
will have no chance to square himself for the throw. 
The catcher may make a poor throw, and between the 
combination of poor throw and poor position on the part 
of the second baseman to take care of the throw, there 
will probably be a miss. 

In a way the second baseman is a roving outfielder. He 
plays the midway outfield. Many short flies which can- 
not be handled by the right fielder or the center fielder 
will fall to his lot. There will be a number of difficult 
foul fly catches to be made on the right field foul line, 
which neither the right fielder nor the first baseman can 
get. There is a sort of "No Man's Land" in center field 
which if not played by the second baseman will not be 
played at all and in which many short flies are likely 
to drop for safe hits. It will thus be noted that the duties 
of the second baseman are various and manifold. 

If he is a good long distance thrower he will be of 
the greatest assistance to his team by his ability to relay 
the ball from the first throw of the outfielder. The relay 



50 Spalding's Athletic Library 

throw is used more than ever. One reason for this is 
the lack of good throwers among outfielders. Another 
is that better accuracy and greater speed are sometimes 
obtained. If there is a fast and speedy throw'er to make 
the relay the ball will be placed better for the catcher. 
The outfielder who essays the long throw home, if he is 
a very good outfielder, will get the ball near the plate 
in about three times out of five. If there is a good relay 
thrower he will place the ball on the plate territory pretty 
much every time that he undertakes to throw it. 

Must know the shortstop's plans. 

So far as playing for base-run- 
ners is concerned, the second base- 
man always must have an under- 
standing with the shortstop. With 
two men to take care of second base 
^P y/ it is not good base ball when both 

© \. y^^ f^il because of information which 

A-Playing h?Se for base- ^^ SO Casily fouud OUt. 

scre"from°thi'rd Si^ess ^hcu thcrc are runucrs on sec- 

than two hands out. B— qj-,(J ^j^^J j-J^Jj-^J j^^^ggg qj. ^^\^q^ there 
Inlaying for batter. L — 

Shortstop virtually playing jg a runucr ou- third base with less 

second base to hold a run- 
ner on that base. than two out and a chance to tie 

the score or win the game, the second baseman often 

takes a position on the infield in front of the base line 

from first base to second base. 




Spalding's Athletic Library 51 



The Second Baseman and the Runner 

The first baseman begins to have his troubles with 
base-runners when the batter is safe at first. The second 
baseman's trouble begins at the same time, and continues. 
The next base after first is second, and the second base- 
man well knows that every effort will be made by the 
runner and by the other players of the runner's side to 
advance the man to the next base. 

If the runner is successful in arriving at second base 
the second baseman still has his worries. Instead of 
waiting for the runner to come to him he now has him 
on his hands. He must watch him and try to keep him 
as close to the base as possible. He will have assistance 
from the shortstop, but with both of them to watch the 
runner the latter will prove to be an annoying chap, 
especially if he is a little daring. A venturesome runner 
will try to get as far up the base line toward third as 
he can, a good start being just the thing if batter hits. 

If the runner on first base tries to steal, the second 
baseman, if he is to cover the base, must play in such 
manner that he will be on the spot whenever the catcher 
throws the ball. He must not play directly on the bag 
and base line, to which reference will be made later in 
remarks about blocking runners, but he must play in 
such a manner that he can touch the runner if the latter 
tries to slide along the base line. It will not be a hard 
task to touch the runner if the latter does not slide, 
but it is the exception rather than the rule when a base- 
runner goes into second base standing up. 



52 



Spalding's Athletic Library 




TDouble play. Second baseman touches base-runner on the 
line and then relays ball to first. 




Spalding's Athletic Library 53 

The best way to tag a runner is 
not to stand on the Hne as he comes 
headforemost or feet foremost, but 
to stand in such a manner that he 
can be touched when he slides by. 
It is not always possible to do this, 
because if the catcher has been hur- 
ried the ball is likely to come any- 

A - Second baseman c a n whcre CXCCpt tO the right SpOt, but 

suL't't;"X"nrciose' to the play can be practised, and the 
of%h'e^\se"and^;owa;rhs ^ore expert the baseman can be- 
first base side. ^^^^^^ jj^ j^ ^^iQ better. One of the 

best second basemen in touching runners who ever played 
base ball in the National League was Strieker of the old 
Cleveland team. There wasn't much more of him than a 
pinch of salt, but it did not make any difference how the 
runners arrived at second base, he touched them before 
they got into the -bag. How he got the ball seemed to be 
a miracle sometimes, but he got it, and with a quick jab 
he "put it on the runner'' as the latter slid by. It was 
common report that if Strieker caught the ball the runner 
might as well walk back to the bench, yet Strieker never 
stood on the line if he could avoid it. 

Second baseman as the pivot. 

The batter may hit the ball with a runner on first and 
then will come the possibility of a double play, in which 
the second baseman will be the pivot. That is, he will 
be the player to whom the ball will be first thrown. Upon 
receiving it he must turn and throw it to first as quickly 
and as straight as he can to get the batter. The second 



54 Spalding's Athletic Library 

baseman is the most important pivot man on a ball team. 
In some games he pivots about five or six times. He 
is likely to receive the ball from the pitcher, an outfielder 
or the shortstop. Occasionally he receives a throw from 
the first baseman, frequently from the third baseman, and 
must return the ball to them. All of these plays follow 
the base-runner. 

The ball comes to him from both sides and from in 
front of him and behind him, because he is in the center 
of the general playing field. There is action all around 
him. The first baseman and the third baseman are over 
at separate corners of the field, but not the second base- 
man. On the contrary there are four corners surround- 
ing him. 

Often engaged in a "run-up." 

Frequently the second baseman must join with others 
in a run-up of a base-runner. There are few run-ups in 
which the second baseman does not take a part. Always 
remember in running a player along the base line that 
it is advisable to chase him as far back as seems con- 
sistent toward the base to which he is retreating. The 
faster that he can be made to run back the better it will 
be, because when the ball is thrown to the baseman the 
runner will have much difficulty to turn around and get 
out of harm's way. When the ball is thrown and the 
runner cannot be touched, drop out of the line and let 
the player who is behind take part in the play. In the 
meantime run back of him, so that he will be backed up 
if the ball is returned again. Never drop out of the play 
and stand looking at it as if it were a picture on a bill- 



Spalding's Athletic Library 55 

board. If there is one fault which is shown quicker than 
another it is a baseman's lack of knowing what to do 
when a runner has been trapped when trying to reach 
one base from another. 

If the throw to second base were always perfect, and 
if every pitcher were perfect in delivering the ball on 
time, there would be fewer stolen bases than there are. 
The catcher, too often, is hurried and throws the ball to 
one side. The pitcher may have a slow windup, and 
that will give the runner a start from first base of ten 
feet or more. 

Accurate throws can be inade by the catcher to the 
pitcher and the ball relayed by the pitcher to the second 
baseman in time to get the fastest of runners. There 
is one thing to take into account in that statement. The 
throws must be perfect and the runner must go the 
full ninety feet between bases. It is evident, therefore, 
that much depends upon the catcher and the pitcher as 
well as upon the second baseman, and also that much 
depends upon how the second baseman handles himself 
after he gets the ball, as has previously been explained. 

The practise of blocking base- 
runners is to be avoided and dis- 
couraged. In the first place it is 
strictly against the rules of base ball 
to block a base without having the 
ball in one's possession. Now and 
then there may be an instance 
where the ball is hidden, when it is 
Jelb'llafer sfa'dTg'^ to tell whether the ball is 

barpiaySg."""^ ^^^ ""^'^ '^ i" the posscssiou of the fielder. On 




56 Spalding's Athletic Library 

the other hand there are instances that happen again and 
again in which the baseman deliberately sets himself on 
the base line long before the ball has got to him with 
the purpose of preventing the runner from touching 
the base. 

It is a play which is dangerous to both men. For 
the most part, of course, it is more dangerous to the 
slider than to the player who is standing still and is 
braced for the shock of collision when two come together. 
Frequently it results in disputes. A ball player who has 
been blocked off a base and shaken up severely is likely 
to forget himself under the stress of the moment and 
engage in a quarrel. 

If a lightweight fielder tries to block a base-runner 
the former may be so bruised and jarred that he will not 
be able to play the base as well in the future. A very 
heavy man who strikes a fielder at full speed, bumps 
into him with force that means hurt and it may affect 
his future playing. Those who encourage the blocking 
of base-runers are not mindful of the best interests of 
base ball. 

Stolen bases are usually close plays. 

Almost all steals of second base are close plays. If 
the baseman ventures to play on top of the base he will 
lose some because the runner will dodge him. If the 
baseman will play off the base and a little toward first 
base, where he can handle himself cleverly, and where 
he can escape the feet of the runner, if the latter at- 
tempts to slide, he will get his put out much easier and 
with far less risk to himself and to the runner. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 57 

Stand with the feet apart but so that the balance can 
be retained. The feet of the runner are fairly sure to 
slip between or around the baseman's. As they do the 
runner can be touched out. This position, about two 
feet from the base, will bother the runner who is trying 
to use the hook slide, and there is no other position which 
will bother him more. When the baseman is standing as 
described it is a very difficult matter for the runner to 
swing his feet around so that he can make the base. He 
is likely to be caught with one foot on one side of the 
base, and the other foot on the other side, but neither 
touching the canvas. As soon as he has been touched by 
the ball get out of the way. 

Awkward position to touch base-runner. 

It must be evident that if the baseman stands on the 
base and reaches out to touch the runner he will find 
himself in an awkward position. He will be like the 
boy who is bending over the creek, expecting every 
minute to fall in while he reaches in vain for the flower 
that is floating by on the surface of the water. 



58 



Spalding's Athletic Library 




Double play — shortstop to second base to first base. Broken 
line shows course of ball from batter and during play," 
continuous line shows where second baseman left his posi- 
tion to cover bag. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 59 



Throwing by the Second Baseman 

Try to learn to throw in every conceivable manner by 
which a throw can be made. In a spirit of fun the writer 
was about to suggest that it is advisable to learn to 
throw standing on your head. After all that is not so 
ridiculous as it may sound. Basemen have thrown out 
runners from a sitting position, while lying prostrate, 
and even while their backs were turned to another base- 
man. 

The second baseman cannot always have his feet 
braced on the ground, nor can he pause and take deliber- 
ate aim. He lives in a whirling of seconds, each one of 
them presenting a play that is quite different from the 
play which may have just preceded it. 

Learn to throw overhand. If that is the natural way 
of the young player he will have little to learn but much 
to practise for direction. Learn also to throw under- 
hand. It is of vital importance that every second base- 
man knows how to throw the ball underhand. Learn to 
toss the ball, and learn not only to toss it forward but 
learn to toss it with a backhand motion. That play is 
likely to come in handy in any game, and more emphati- 
cally so after the player has become accustomed to the 
position of second base and has learned to hop around 
nimbly and to be in the right place at the right time. 

The underhand throw is the best timesaver the second 
baseman possesses. There have been old fellows in base 
ball whose throwing arms were not what they had been, 
who played season afl,er season because they could snap 



60 



Spalding's Athletic Library 




Double play. This is a play that requires fast work. Bat- 
ter hits to shortstop, who throws to catcher, latter touches 
runner and gets ball in time to put out runner to first. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 61 

the ball to first base underhand. What their arms might 
have lost in the strength needed by hard overhand throw- 
ing was not missed, because they saved time by throwing 
underhand and were every bit as accurate as they had 
been when they used the overhand throw. 

Players preferred the underhand throw. 

There have been infielders who gave up throwing over- 
hand as much as they could. They said that it did not 
pay. They could get a runner out some seconds quicker 
by using an underhand throw and were sure they were 
as certain of their man. Some would not throw over- 
hand from the beginning. It was almost impossible to 
get Doolan, the Philadelphia shortstop, to throw the ball 
overhand. Devlin, the New York third baseman, threw 
both ways, and preferred the underhand motion for short 
plays. Evers of the Chicagos, after a year's experience, 
used the underhand throw almost exclusively. Others 
could be cited, but there is no necessity for doing so, as 
quite all will give testimony to the same effect. 

In the earlier years of base ball there was much more 
underhand throwing and sidearm throwing than there 
have been in recent years. When the overhand throw 
came into general use it seemed so much more impressive 
that many came to use it who would have been better off 
if they had stuck to their old boyhood way of getting the 
ball away. Some were improved by the use of the over- 
hand throw. With others it was quite the reverse. 

Underhand throwing is valuable for a second baseman 
because he will have as many short throws to make as 
any player on the field, and there is no reason why he 



62 Spalding's Athletic Library 

cannot make them as accurately by throwing underhand 
as he can if he tries to throw overhand, 

Many movements to throw overhand. 

To throw the ball overhand the fielder must come to an 
erect position after he has picked up the ball from the 
ground. Then he must draw^ his arm back to throw. 
After that he will have to bring it forward again and 
deliver the ball. Every motion that he makes is a motion 
of time, and time means delay. In throwing underhand 
picking up the ball and releasing the ball can be made con- 
tinuous. Frequently they are all one motion. If the 
second baseman is running toward first base he stoops 
down, gets the ball, and before he is erect he has sent it 
whirling through the air to the first baseman, scarcely 
pausing from the time that he began his pursuit of the 
ball to throw the runner out. Decisions at first base are 
made on single steps. Hundreds of decisions during a 
year hinge on one yard. The underhand throw is always 
one step faster than the overhand throw, and sometimes 
more than one step faster. Hence it is evident that the 
underhand throw will get more close plays at first base 
than the overhand throw can hope to get. There is no 
lost time nor lost motion in the underhand throw. 

The underhand throw is developed by practise — pro- 
viding the beginner does not possess the knack of sending 
the ball around in that way. With the average ball player 
it does not take much practise. The boys to a large 
extent throw underhand naturally. Too many coaches 
and instructors take them away from underhand throw- 
ing when they should not do so. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 63 

The average runner covers about twenty-seven feet 
per second in going to first base from home plate. Know- 
ing as we do how many plays there are at first base in 
which three feet give the decision one way or the other, 
we can figure how much the underhand throw will be 
worth to a second baseman if he can beat the runner by 
one step. 

Never use one hand to stop the ball or catch it where 
both hands can be used. On the contrary, never hesi- 
tate to try to catch or stop the ball with one hand when 
it is impossible to get both hands on it. That is the very 
best rule that the second baseman can follow in regard 
to playing with one hand. When the ball is on the right 
side, where it is out of the question to get in front of it, 
go after it with the right hand and do the same thing on 
the left side, but never stop trying to get in front of the 
ball if it is possible to do so, and try to stop it with both 
hands. Base ball is a two-handed game in which one- 
hand plays occasionally are excellent. 

There are second basemen who practise catching the 
ball and touching the runner with one motion, using but 
one hand to do so. When they succeed it is a fine play, 
but it is not a sure play, and it never will be. The sec- 
ond baseman who catches the ball in the good old-fash- 
ioned way in both hands, touches the runner and gets 
out of his way at the same time, is the player who will 
be more likely to arise to the emergency than the flashy 
player who will be almost sure to try his one-hand play 
at the most vital point in the game and fail when suc- 
cess means everything to his team. 

Practise in trying the one-hand catch is all right. 
There is no objection to it. There may be a day when 



64 Spalding's Athletic Library 

such a play will be just the thing at the rig\it time. 
Placing dependency on the one-hand catch is another 
matter. There have been ball players who were possibly 
as good with one hand as they were with both, and better 
with one hand than many ball players are with' both 
hands, but such players are the exception. It would be 
no task for them to play the ball with one hand, but it is 
a natural gift to do so, and it is not a safe play with a 
player to whom it is not natural. 

Touch the base with foot nearest to it. 

The second baseman should touch the base with that 
foot which is nearest to it. Presumably the beginner will 
think this is needless advice, for he will not consider 
that the second baseman would be likely to do anything 
else. It is not needless, as the second baseman plays on 
both sides of the base. The first baseman does not play 
on both sides of his base. There is no occasion for him 
to get out on foul ground and play first base outside the 
line. The second baseman first is on the right side and 
then on the left side of the second base and he must learn 
to play both sides with certainty. 

After touching the base, take the foot away from it. 
Runners come into second at top speed and frequently 
round the base going full tilt. They do not notice where 
the baseman has his foot and if the baseman forgets to 
withdraw his foot from the bag he is liable to a bruise. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 65 



Special Points for the Second Baseman 

Think about how plays should be made, but don't do 
advance thinking to the exclusion of everything else. 
Once there was a second baseman in one of the major 
leagues who had it all "figured out in his mind" that he 
would throw the ball to the shortstop if the next hit came 
to him, a play which should force the runner who was on 
first base. The thought was tiptop. The ball was batted 
to him, but it was a line drive. He caught it and threw 
it to the shortstop, following out his line of advance 
thought. The shortstop was covering second base, but 
the throw was so unexpected, after the fly ball had been 
caught, that he unconsciously dodged the ball and it 
rolled to the outfield, the runner on first base making 
third before the ball was secured. 

That play brought forth some groans from the crowd 
and a rebuke from the manager. "What in the world 
were you thinking about?" asked the latter. "That was 
just my trouble," was the reply. "I was doing too much 
thinking. I had thought it all out that I would make a 
sure double play if the ball was batted to me and I threw 
for the double play as if it had been a ground ball. I 
will not let that happen again." 

A second baseman must be ready to act on the instant. 
The situation is likely to change with every ball that is 
batted and every throw that is made. So much centers 
on his position that he must not become confused and 
he must not permit himself to become slow or let his 
mind run in one channel constantly. 



66 



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%^—^ 




Double play — second base to first base to shortstop. Ball 
hit to second baseman on the line ; man on first running to 
second stops to avoid being touched ; second baseman runs 
him back to first, then throws to first baseman, putting out 
the batter and thus taking the force ofif the base-runner, 
who reverses and starts for second. He has to be touched 
to be put out, which results from the first baseman throw- 
ing to the shortstop covering second base. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 67 

Try never to make a useless throw. There is nothing 
more foolish than loose throwing of the ball from fielder 
to fielder. If you try for a bunt and get the ball, only 
to note that the batter has reached first base, do not 
attempt to throw from a bad position out of which the 
chances are better than even that you will make an error. 
Do not throw merely for the sake of throwing. That is 
not a game. It is a wasteful exhibition of skill, or per- 
haps if you should make a bad blunder, lack of skill. 

Never hesitate to try a play. 

Try for everything. That is the finest play you can 
make. The player who tries is forgiven much. If you 
make an error now and then, as the best do, be sure that 
it does not put you out mentally during the remainder 
of the game. Other players make errors. Base ball is 
made up of errors and good plays, in which most players 
share alike. The good play which follows an error may 
be the play by which you win the game, and the good 
play is as likely to take place as the mistake. It is an 
even proposition. 

The most important sign that you have to learn as a 
beginner is one which may be given by the catcher to try 
to retire a sleeping base-runner. Don't bother a great 
deal about signs. The two players on the ball field to 
whom signs are the most important are the pitcher and 
the catcher. It is well to know their signs, but if an 
efifort is made to run everything on the ball field by 
means of signs the beginners will become so hopelessly 
confused that they will be unable to get anything right. 
Signs can be overdone. Anyway, they belong more to 
professional base ball than they do to amateur base ball. 




Bancroft of the Giants shows how the ball should be handled 
with both hands by the shortstop. He is not in favor of the 
shortstop placing both feet rigidly together because it results 
in a fixed position from which it is very difficult to shift if 
the ball takes a false bound. International Film Service, Photo. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 69 



THE SHORTSTOP 

To play shortstop as the newer game of base ball de- 
mands is another style of play from that which was ex- 
pected years ago. Then the shortstop was an infielder, 
not on a base, who took care of ground balls between 
second base and third base because there were many more 
right-handed batters than there were left-handed batters, 
and the larger share of the ground hits rolled or bounded 
between second base and third base. 

Shortstop is often the second baseman. 

Nowadays the shortstop a great deal of the time is as 
much the second baseman as if he were called the second 
baseman. Almost all of the suggestions that have been 
given to beginners about playing second base are just as 
good for the playing of shortstop. If it were not for old 
friendship it would not be wrong, and possibly a little 
more accurate, if we called one of the infielders the right 
field second baseman or shortstop, and the other the left 
field second baseman or shortstop. Of course, mistakes 
might arise by having two second basemen or shortstops 
in the game which would confuse and mix up scores. 
Hence we cling to the old way. 

The positions are the two most alike on the ball field. 
They are quite dependent upon each other. Almost all 
of the plays which have a start around shortstop and 
second base have something of resemblance. When 
the second baseman gets a ground hit the shortstop may 
cover second base for a double play, for example, and 



70 Spalding's Athletic Library 

when the shortstop gets a ground hit the second baseman 
may cover the base for a double play. In general when 
one of these players is not guarding the base the other 
is. The catcher throws the ball to catch a base-runner 
and sometimes the second baseman receives it and some- 
times the shortstop. 

In the very first days of base ball, and up to the begin- 
ning of the '80s, the second baseman did not range so 
far away from second base as he does now. He clung 
fairly close to the bag all of the time, because the players 
of those days took to heart the fact that they were sec- 
ond basemen and must be close to their base every min- 
ute. They thought it had to be guarded by almost stand- 
ing on it. When newer generations began to play base 
ball the position of second baseman began to increase in 
importance, and the territory which the second baseman 
ranged for plays began to expand rapidly. No longer 
was the second baseman content to remain close to his 
base constantly. He could do better by moving further 
away, and when he began to go further toward first base 
the shortstop began to support him by taking his place 
at second or playing closer to the bag where he could 
act in helping out the second baseman. The result is that 
nowadays there is nothing more clever on a base ball 
diamond than smooth and easy team work on the part 
of the second baseman and shortstop. 

"Backing up" the third baseman. 

The second baseman today plays fairly well over 
toward the first baseman to guard the territory between 
first base and second. The shortstop plays toward the 



Spalding's Athletic Library 71 

third baseman to guard the territory between second base 
and third base. There is not so much backing up needed 
of the third baseman as there is of the first baseman, 
because the third baseman during the game does not begin 
to meet the plays that fall to the lot of the first baseman. 
Yet the shortstop must always be ready to back up the 
third baseman. Frequently he plays deep to save the ball 
if it gets away from the third baseman, and a good short- 
stop very often prevents hard hits from becoming two- 
baggers. He may not be able to keep them from being 
good for one base, but by cleverly blocking the ball he 
holds the batter to a single base instead of two that he 
might make. 

Shortstop should be fastest infielder. 

If anything, the shortstop should be faster, nimbler 
and quicker than any other infielder. Often he must run 
almost to the left field foul line to get a hit. If he is 
very fast on his feet, and if he has been playing right 
for the batter, he may throw the latter out on a hit 
which seemed almost as good as safe. The shortstop 
should be an excellent thrower. Except the throws which 
he may make to the second baseman, and the occasional 
throws that he may make to the third baseman, he will 
have longer and harder throws to make than the second 
baseman and he must be sure they are straight. Of the 
ground hits which go to a shortstop during a game, prob- 
ably three-quarters of them will roll anywhere between 
second base and third base and quite deep into left field. 
To get the batter out at first base each of these hits neces- 
sitates better throwing than the second baseman may 



72 Spalding's Athletic Library 

have to make to retire a batter at first base. Even when 
the second baseman is playing deep he does not have to 
throw tlie ball as far as the shortstop is obliged to throw 
it from an ordinary fielding play somewhere back of the 
line between second base and third base. Good line 
throwing is absolutely necessary for the shortstop. He 
should also be a good underhand thrower, as he will have 
a chance to throw underhand when he runs forward with 
a fine dash and picks up a hard ground hit from the turf 
of the infield. 

The build of the shortstop follows on a general line 
that of the second baseman. There are short men who 
play shortstop splendidly and tall men who play equally 
as well. A tall man has a little the better of it at short- 
stop, because of his longer upward reach, if he is loose 
jointed and can bend as easily and as quickly as the short 
man. If it takes the tall player a long time to stoop 
down and get hold of the ball it is that much added han- 
dicap. Som.e tall boys do not bend their Icnees easily. 

Shortstop must assist the pitcher. 

In addition to backing up the third baseman and play- 
ing second base some of the time, the shortstop must also 
be ready to back up the pitcher. There are many awk- 
ward little chop hits which either get away from the 
pitcher, or partially get away from him, that can be han- 
dled only by the shortstop. That compels him to be ready 
to run forward as well as to move backward and to one 
side. The second baseman usually plays so deep that 
he cannot support the pitcher as well as shortstop. Ob- 
servation has proved that more chop hits are batted to 



Spalding's Athletic Library 73 

the left field side of the pitcher than to the right field 
side. Probably some of this is due to the twist on the 
ball, but more of it is due to the greater number of right- 
handed batters. 

The shortstop should have good sized hands. He 
should keep them in excellent condition. His fingers 
should bend easily and he should have a strong grip in 
the ends of them. Very often he will barely touch the 
ball, but if his fingers are strong he will get a little hold 
on it and check its speed so materially that in another 
instant he will have it securely enough in his grasp to 
pick it up and throw. 



74 



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Shortstop to second base to first base. This is one of the 
simplest forms of a double play in which the shortstop 
figures. Batter hits grounder to shortstop, who throws to 
second baseman, the latter relaying it to first baseman for 
the second out. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 



75 



Shortstop on the Field 

When the game begins the shortstop takes his posi- 
tion to the left field side of second base. It will depend 
greatly on whether the batter is a right-handed hitter or 
a left-handed hitter, as to whether he will play a deep 
short field or play close to the base line between second 
base and third base. 

If the batter is left-handed the 
shortstop will stand to the left *of 
second base at a point which is rea- 
sonably close to the base, figuring 
that the batter may hit into center 
field. If the batter is right-handed 
and known to meet the ball hard, 
the shortstop will get behind the 
base line fifteen feet, perhaps, and 
play midway between second base 
All of the time, no 




A — Usual position of short- 
stop. B — Shortstop back- 
ing up third baseman. C — 
Shortstop acting as a sec- 
ond baseman D—Shortstop ^^^ t\\\rd baSC. 
supporting the pitcher, and 

playing "in " with runner flatter what position hc may take 

nn f}iirH anH lpQ< than ivin ^ -J 



on third and les 
out, 



for the moment, he should be on his 
toes, shifting a few inches from one side to the other, 
and always watching with much attention the position of 
the batter the moment that the pitcher takes his place 
on the rubber preparatory to the delivery of the ball. 
Not all batters tell by their position at the plate where 
they are likely to hit the ball, but a great many of them 
do. 

If the first batter arrives safely at first base the short- 
stop must play in quite close on the next batter if he 



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Spalding's Athletic Library 




Sacrifice hit play. First baseman is drawn away from bag 
to field , ball ; second baseman covers first and shortstop 
covers second. Broken line indicates course of ball ; con- 
tinuous lines indicate where shortstop and second baseman 
left their positions- 



Spalding's Athletic Library 17 

notices any inclination on the part of the batter to make 
a sacrifice. To play a deep field for him would be a" 
waste of effort. The batter may tap toward right field. 
In that case the second baseman may be called upon to 
get the ball, and if he does run for it the shortstop will 
immediately become the second baseman for the moment, 
and must guard the bag. The throw will be made to him 
by the regular second baseman. 

Varied duties of the shortstop. 

If the batter should bunt toward the pitcher, especially 
if the second batter happens to be a left-hander, the 
shortstop will be expected to be on guard at second base, 
because the second baseman will have been called over 
toward first base to prevent the batter from chopping the 
ball safely through that territory. Sometimes a bunt 
will get away from the pitcher, and then it is the short- 
stop who rushes in and handles the ball, even if he does 
not always make the play, because it is a hard play to 
make sometimes. It is also the duty of the shortstop 
when no one, or but one, is out not to play too deeply 
in his field if there is a runner at third base. His man- 
ager may call to him to come within the lines of the 
infield, trusting that the agility of the shortstop will 
enable him to get the next batted ball and throw the run- 
ner out at home plate. 

Very rarely the shortstop will play so close to second 
base that he may be said to be almost upon it. He does 
so when there is a batter at the plate who is known to 
be a pronounced center field hitter. There are a few like 
that, and so very few, that it is not a good risk to play 



78 Spalding's Athletic Library 

too close to second base, unless the batter happens to be 
one of those known to be a regular center field hitter. 

If a ground hit is batted exactly over second base at 
the average force which is put into a ground hit and the 
second baseman and the shortstop are playing where they 
normally play, it is almost sure to be a base-hit. That 
open space is what is called "the base-hit groove." So 
few chances roll that way, as compared with the many 
which go to the right or to the left of second base, that 
the shortstop and the second baseman are willing to take 
some risk and therefore station themselves closer to sec- 
ond base only when they are convinced that they have a 
chance to retire the batter. As compared with other 
fielding plays which are given to these two players to 
handle, not more than ten per cent of the batted balls go 
squarely over second base, or within two feet of it, on 
either side. 

If the second baseman runs out to assist in relaying 
the ball to the infield the shortstop should always cover 
second base, if there is a runner either on second base 
or on first base. No one knows what play may happen 
next and the shortstop must be ready to be the second 
baseman in any emergency. You will observe that these 
positions keep filling in and out all of the time. First 
one and then the other makes the second • base play. 
Were it not for the good work of the shortstop, the posi- 
tion of second base would be so open that a great many 
more runs would be scored in ball games than are. 

The shortstop will have his share of foul flies to catch. 
They will be high ones which go over the third baseman's 
head and which do not go far enough out for the left 



Spalding's Athletic Library 79 

fielder to try for them. Frequently on these high foul 
flies the shortstop can make the best play of any man 
on the diamond, so it is essential for him to be a good 
catcher of fly balls as well as a good fielder of ground 
hits. 

He must frequently govern himself by the score and 
by the batter at the plate. For instance, if there were 
a man on third base and the batter known to be a pro- 
nounced left field hitter — one of those players who raps 
the ball very hard down the left field line — the shortstop 
would hardly be justified in playing close to second base. 
He should shift over toward third base, where he at 
least would have some chance to get the ball after a hard 
hit. If he did get it, and there were two out, perhaps 
he would get the batter at first base and the run would 
not score. If there were not two out and It was worth 
while to make a play for the runner at the plate, he 
might be able to catch him by a perfect throw to the 
catcher and thus save the game. 

The rovers of the infield. 

It may always be taken for granted that when there is 
a runner on first base the batter will do what he can to 
advance him to the next base, and the shortstop should 
play accordingly. In fact, he cannot be said to have a 
fixed position more than the second baseman. If they 
were not second baseman and shortstop they could well 
be called the infield rovers, for that is what they are in 
realitv. 



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Double play. Shortstop catches line drive and runs to 
second base with ball (dotted figure indicates shortstop 
touching second base) before runner who was taking a 
lead off second can return. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 81 



''Backing Up" by the Shortstop 

All of the infielders have their share in assisting the 
plays of one another. The first baseman supports the 
second baseman, now and then, and not infrequently runs 
in to help out the catcher at the plate. The second base- 
man does his part to help the first baseman and the 
pitcher. The shortstop, however, does more "backing^ 
up" than any infielder. He is the principal assistant to 
the second baseman, helps the third baseman, works with 
the pitcher, and runs to the aid of the outfielders. Some 
of the lively men who have played the position of short- 
stop have been found behind home plate, backing up a 
throw from the outfield. No one seemed to know how 
they got there, but they did, and the fact that they did 
proved how fine they were as ball players. 

If a throw is coming to second base from right field, 
and from such a direction that the ball, should it get 
away from the second baseman, will go to left field, it is 
the duty of the shortstop to be behind the second base- 
man. In a game of a recent world series one of the short- 
stops forgot to be in position at second base. He was so 
certain that a fly catch would be made that he did not 
move away from where he stood. When the ball was 
thrown to second base there was no one there, and the 
runner went all the way around the bases and scored. He 
should not have been able to proceed further than second. 

If there is a play in which the third baseman is in- 
volved and it is evident that he will need help, the short- 
stop should think quickly enough to know that he will 



82 



Spalding's Athletic Library 




/ 



Double play. Batter hits ball to pitcher, who whirls around 
and throws to shortstop covering second base, the ball then 
being thrown to first baseman in lime to beat the batter 
running to first. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 83 

need such assistance and be ready to give it to him, start- 
ing to do so when the play begins. Bridwell, who played 
shortstop for the Giants some years ago, was one of the 
most proficient of players in lending aid to the third base- 
man. More than once he performed that rare feat of 
picking up a grounder which the third baseman had par- 
tially stopped. He thought out the possibilities of the 
play from the moment that he placed himself for the 
batter whom he figured would rap the ball to left field. 
That is what the shortstop should always be able to do. 
Do not think that the shortstop may be more of a mind 
reader than any other player, unless he has been more 
generously gifted that way by Nature. That is not the 
point which is being made. The emphasis which is try- 
ing to be placed on this essential of good shortstopping 
is the necessity for being ready to be at the spot where 
the play falls, no matter what the play may be. 

Freedom of field to the shortstop. 

Remember that the shortstop has more latitude than 
any one of the three basemen when he is playing at 
shortstop only. If he is called upon to be the second 
baseman for the moment, it is the duty of the second 
baseman to become the acting shortstop on one side, the 
third baseman acting on the other. The one important 
fact is that the shortstop shall make the most of the 
opportunities which are offered to him. When he is 
not taking immediate care of some base-runner, to see 
that the latter does not advance further along the bases 
than can be prevented, he can roam to all parts of the 
infield and the short outfield, where his services will 



84 Spalding's Athletic Library 

prove to be of the most value when the ball is in play 
after it has been batted or when it is being played against 
a runner and not against the batter at first base. 

Napoleon Lajoie tried playing shortstop after playing 
second base. He frankly admitted that the shortstop had 
the more difiicult position. "There is more ground to 
cover,'' he said, when referring to the comparison be- 
tween the positions.^ More ground to cover naturally 
meant more chances and more difficult chances. Not the 
least of the differences between the positions was the 
necessity of being able to throw further and with as 
much accuracy as throwing from second base. It is the 
player with the good throwing arm who will outstrip any 
other candidate for the position of shortstop if all other 
things are equal. 

A very difficult throw to make. 

The long throw from the deep infield, back of third 
base and a little to its right, is one of the hardest of all 
throws to make on the ball field. Only the best of the 
shortstops are able to make it. If there is a beginner who 
can make that throw and who can play the infield with 
the speed, the spryness, the agility, the ever-ready "think- 
ing out" of the plays which are crowding upon him, let 
him continue to play shortstop, because he will not only 
play the kind of ball which will be enjoyed by himself, 
but it will be enjoyed by all who are to have the pleasure 
of looking at it. 

The grounders which are taken by the shortstop with 
one hand when on the full run are thrilling to the specta- 
tors, and the satisfaction of making such plays is unlim- 



Spalding's Athletic Library 85 

ited to the shortstop. Remember, in making them, that 
it will almost always be necessary to make the throw 
while running at full speed and that it is a play which is 
difficult of execution but most satisfactory to the player 
when it goes through well. The ball has a tendency to 
raise when thrown by a runner in motion and that should 
be taken into consideration, or a wild throw will put the 
ball far beyond the baseman and the hit be good for two 
or three bases instead of one. 

Slow bounders fielded on the run. 

It is the rule that almost all slow bounders must be 
taken on the run. If the shortstop waits for the ball to 
come to him it will arrive so late that it will be impos- 
sible to put the runner out. On hits of this description 
the underhand throw comes in at its best, and the fielder 
who can make a good underhand throw will be the fielder 
who will be able to get the runner at first base. 

It is the quick pickup and throw that are part of the 
game for the shortstop, and it is the quick pickup and 
ready throw which are as much needed in backing up as 
they are in making one of the first plays against a runner 
on the bases. Part of the reason for making the short- 
stop independent, and not being held alone responsible 
for a base, is the desire to give him all the latitude pos- 
sible to play his position and play it well. 



86 Staldiny's Athletic Library 



TRIPLE PLAY. 
Batter hits line drive to shortstop — runners on first and 
second — who touches runner off second and throws out 
runner from first before he can ge* back. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 87 



General Observations on the Shortstop 

Of all the comment for the benefit of boys and begin- 
ners, there has been none given by an experienced short- 
stop which is better than that of Al Bridwell, who played 
with Boston and New York in the National League. He 
looks at the problem from the boys' standpoint. In dis- 
cussing playing shortstop, he said: "In my observation 
it has yet to fail that when a score of boys are gathered 
for a base ball game the spryest and most active of the 
group will wish to play shortstop if sides are chosen. I 
can recall that when I played ball as a boy I was one 
of the youngsters who essayed to play shortstop, because 
I had the reputation of moving rapidly over the ground 
and there were few of my acquaintances who were fleet 
of foot and adroit who had not a similar inclination. As 
I remember it, the boy who could play tag and seldom 
be touched, and the boy who could take part in prisoner's 
base and elude most of the boys who played against him, 
usually, for some reason or another, drifted into the posi- 
tion of shortstop when it came to a ball game. Boys as 
they become older learn that this seemingly natural selec- 
tion of youth follows when the nines of mature years 
are placed on the field. The agile and alert player be- 
comes a shortstop as naturally as the tall and cool boy 
with a knack of catching thrown balls perfectly gravi- 
tates to the position of first base. For that reason I 
wish to lend my encouragement to the short and sturdy 
chaps who move with the rapidity of well-trained and 
developed muscles for the position of shortstop. Nine 



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TRIPLE PLAY. 
This is a most unusual feat. A line drive is hit to the 
shortstop, who touches second base before the runner who 
had started for third can get back to second, and then 
touches the runner from first base before he can return to 
latter. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 89 

times out of ten, if the impulse of base ball takes them 
to that position on the diamond, they will succeed. Any 
number of instances can be cited to prove this. At the 
present time we always can find excellent shortstops 
among the major league players who are men of lesser 
stature than those at some other positions of the field. 
For that reason it is safe to recommend to the beginner 
who is a little below the average height to play shortstop 
if he feels it in him to be a shortstop. 

Changes made by modern batting. 

"Modern batting has changed the work of the third 
baseman and the pitcher, because it has given both of 
them difficult bunt hits to handle. The same style of 
hits has afifected the first baseman, although not to a like 
extent, because the first baseman, except in the greatest 
of emergencies, must still be considered the guardian of 
the base at which he is stationed. Modern batting has 
not had a like efifect on the fielding of the shortstop. 
Hits to his field vary little from what they were years 
ago. If there is any change of note it is more in the 
batters than in the kind of hits which they make. More 
left-handed batters and more batters of great Sprinting 
ability make it incumbent on the shortstop to handle the 
ball with accuracy and extreme rapidity. Some of the 
batters of the professional leagues are adept in hitting 
the ball slowly at an extreme angle between third and 
shortstop, where it is almost out of the question for the 
third baseman to handle the ball and where the only 
chance which the shortstop has is to be fully as lively as 
the batter and alert enough to divine his intention." 



Spalding's Athletic Library 



THE THIRD BASEMAN 

When batters not only learned to bunt the ball, but 
began to bunt it freely, the work of the third baseman 
doubled at a fast pace. This did not all happen over 
night, yet it happened very suddenly. Usually in a sport 
it takes a long time for such things to work out. In most 
of our games we do not like to hurry to make changes. 
Bunting by batters did not give the third baseman very 
much time to think. They had to be ready to meet a new 
play of which the oldtime third basemen knew practically 
nothing. 

Batters did bunt now and then for some years, but not 
with any regular system. Two or three progressive man- 
agers saw the value of the bunt. One of them was 
Charles A. Comiskey. Has any one ever heard that he 
discouraged bunting on the part of Latham, who played 
third base for the St. Louis Browns when they were 
champions? Another man who was a fellow manager 
with Comiskey, Tom Loftus, and who played ball when 
Comiskey played, favored bunting. He had a hard time 
trying to convert some base ball men to it, but he was 
finally successful with one of its most stubborn oppo- 
nents. 

The Western managers were earlier advocates of 
bunting, take them together, to a greater extent than the 
managers of the East. The latter were slow to take the 
"baby tap" up, as they called the bunt then. There were 
some of them who used their best efforts to have bunting 
prevented because they thought it would destroy the use- 



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Safe hit to right field. Second baseman leaves his fielding 
position to cover second base, while shortstop runs over to 
back up second baseman on throw-in from right fielder. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 93 

fulness of their star third basemen and ruin batting. 
Instead of encouraging the basemen to try to play better, 
they were protecting them. 

The topic of bunting has been referred to because it 
has made the third baseman one of the most important 
defensive players on the ball field. Not only must he 
be observant of runners who are bound for his base, but 
he must play for batters on the infield proper and back 
of it. That is not an easy task. He must specially be 
able to run forward and pick up a ball while in motion. 
All infielders have that to do sometimes, but the third 
baseman has to do it repeatedly. 

Bunting has given third baseman variety. 

Before there was much bunting the third baseman sel- 
dom or never played closer to the batter than the base 
line between second and third bases. A great deal of 
the time he played as far behind third base as the first 
baseman plays behind first base. Sometimes he plays 
that far back now and sometimes he plays many feet in 
advance of the base line. He must be as ready to try to 
pick up a bunt hit along the left field foul line, and only 
a few feet from home plate, as he must be to stop a hot 
grounder ten feet behind the base. That is why third 
base has become a position that is specially hard to fill. 
More teams in the big leagues fail to win pennants for 
lack of third basemen than fail to win them for lack of 
first basemen. A good third baseman is recognized as 
quickly by the novice as by the expert, because the good 
third baseman is sure to be better than an average player. 

A third baseman may be a little short in stature, of 
medium height or tall. There are good third basemen 



94 Spalding's Athletic Library 

of all heights, but the very best third basemen, not 
always the most spectacular fielders — if they are spec- 
tacular fielders so much the better— are tall players. If 
they are equal to their fellow players in picking up the 
ball and throwing it, and are equal in some of the other 
things which go with good base ball, they will be just a 
little better than their fellow players if they are a few 
inches taller. A good reach is every bit as desirable at 
third base as it is at first base. 

Tall men are good third basemen. 

The tall third baseman will get more line drives over 
his head, and if his arms are long in proportion to his 
body he will reach out and get more ground hits and 
more line hits. Offhand there were three tall third base- 
men who were the best trio that ever played the position. 
They were Jerry Denny of Indianapolis, when the latter 
city was in the National League ; William Bradley of 
Cleveland, and Arthur Devlin of the Giants. Each one 
of the three had an advantage over the shorter ball player 
who tried to play at third. 

There have been many star third basemen in addition 
to those three, but there was not one of the three men- 
tioned but could get hits which the shorter third baseman 
could not reach, and that is one of the reasons why these 
tall men were better. There are some who think that 
Jimmy Collins of Boston was the best third baseman in 
history. He was a medium sized man. In his prime and 
with all his wonderful expertness, for he was a grand 
ball player, there were hits over his head which he could 
not reach but which could have been reached by a taller 
player. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 95 

The third baseman has to play his position like a loco- 
motive which is backing up and down a railroad track 
switching cars. One moment he w^ill be as far out as he 
can get. The next he will be almost on top of home plate 
and the third will be around his own base, either watch- 
ing a runner or preparing to put one out. Like the loco- 
motive, too, the third baseman remains on a single track. 
He does not roam very far to one side ; that is, he does 
not play far over toward the shortstop except now and 
then. There are times when it is his duty to get hits 
which are almost if not quite in the shortstop's territory, 
but the demands in a narrow space, which runs from 
home plate to third base, are so many and so exacting 
that the third baseman really has all that one player can 
attend to if he takes care of that limited strip of ground. 
It is filled with attempted bunts and ground hits that go 
flying toward the outfield at the speed of a mile a minute. 

He cannot brace himself for the ball. The old-fash- 
ioned third baseman could do so. The latter stepped 
behind the line, perhaps ten feet, and "dug in," that is, 
braced himself on the ground, waiting for the hot 
grounders which he felt sure right-handed batsmen would 
send his way. The third baseman of these days must be 
on his toes. 

It is also important that the third baseman be a long 
and accurate thrower and a good- underhand thrower. 
The third baseman should be a better thrower than the 
catcher, if anything. Many of his throws are fully as 
long as those which have to be made by the catcher. 
Some are longer. The better that he can throw under- 
hand, the better he will play third base. 



96 



Spalding's Athletic Library 



0^ 




Catching a runner overrunning third base. The play being 
too slow to retire runner at second, the second baseman by 
quick throw to third can often catch base-runner who has 
overrun third base. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 97 

The third baseman will have some plays in company 
with the fielder at second base, whether it be the second 
baseman or the shortstop. He will not have much in 
common wath the shortstop, as a fielder, except to keep 
out of the shortstop's way when the latter is after the 
ball. Between the catcher and the third baseman there 
are many plays concerning both. Although there are 
times when the third baseman will not try to keep the 
runner hugging the base, there are others when he will, 
and he must always be ready to assist in running a base- 
runner down between third base and home. 

Like the first baseman, the third baseman should be a 
good judge of high, twisting flies. The third baseman 
will get more foul flies the season through in base ball 
than the first baseman. This applies as well to amateur 
games as to professional games. There are more right- 
hand batters and almost all of them foul the ball fre- 
quently. Many of these high fouls are very difficult to 
judge, as the ball takes a great deal of twist from the 
bat. Some are harder to judge than others, because the 
ball, as soon as it goes above the stand, is carried in 
freakish circles by the wind. 

It also falls to the lot of the third baseman to go back 
into the field behind him to get certain high flies. There 
are many wdiich are not within the reach of the left 
fielder and which it is out of the question for the short- 
stop to get. These are supposed to be taken care of by 
the third baseman. 



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Spalding's Athletic Library 




This is a double play that is not of frequent occurrence. 
The shortstop, playing deep, with the runner on second 
base taking a good lead, throws the ball to third baseman, 
who touches the runner, thus cutting off what is approach- 
ing a run, and the third baseman throws to first base in 
time to get the batter out. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 99 



Third Baseman on the Field 

At the very beginning of the game the third baseman 
will be placed in a quandary as to^ whether he would bet- 
ter play the batter for a bunt or for a hard drive. If it 
is a game between teams of boys, perhaps we would bet- 
ter take it for granted that the chances are more in favor 
of a reasonably hard hit than an attempt to bunt. Some 
of the boys do bunt, but it is the exception rather than 
the rule when they do, as they lack sufficient skill. 

The best place that the third 
baseman can take is about ten feet 
on fair ground from third base 
and a few feet behind the base line. 
At this point he will command a 
© large portion of the territory into 
which the batter is likely to rap the 
ball. A grounder of the ordinary 
fccPb™;^. "b-vxJZ type, which is batted toward third 
fng'Inlide'tr-'I buoT^or'^a" ^^sc, cau be handled with accuracy. 
^'^°"'' ^'*- If the batter is fortunate and hits 

hard right along the third base line he will probably hit 
safely as well. Some risk must be taken, and if the 
batter hits that well he is entitled to a safe hit. 

It is a good position from which to run in on the ball 
if the hit should lack force and roll slowly over the grass 
or sand. When a batter is known to be a pronounced 
left field hitter, one of the kind who raps the ball rather 
close to the foul line, and hits it with such force that it 
is difficult to handle, even if the fielder is in line for it, 




100 Spalding's Athletic Library 

it is better to field a little deeper and swing a little closer 
toward the foul line. The shortstop will protect the ter- 
ritory left vacant by playing more toward the left field 
foul line himself. 

Running in for sacrifice hits. 

If there is a runner on third base and it is expected 
that the batter will try to advance him by a bunt or a 
slow grounder toward third, the third baseman should 
play at least three or four feet in front of the base line 
and close to the base and the foul line. Every efifort is 
made by batters to bunt as closely to the foul line as pos- 
sible, because the nearer the ball rolls to the very edge 
of the infield the more difficult it is to handle. It brings 
the third baseman in with a hard run. Then he must 
stoop down, get hold of the ball the best way that he 
can and follow with a long throw to first base to retire 
the batter. All told, it is a complex and difficult play, 
and the third baseman who makes it well nine times out 
of ten is a fielder worthy to belong to a championship 
team. 

When there is a runner on third base the baseman plays 
to keep him as close to the base as possible. In that 
respect his work is something like that of the first base- 
man. As there is less liability to steal home, the third 
baseman will not infrequently play for the batter rather 
than attempt to hold the runner pinned to the base. The 
catcher faces the runner at third base and can threaten 
him after the ball is pitched, and it is much more impor- 
tant that the batter be put out of the way, if it is possible 
to get him out, than it is that the runner shall be held 
to the base while the batter is given a free field. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 101 

Now and then there is a force play at third base in 
which the runner is retired when the baseman touches 
the bag with his foot, but there are no plays which re- 
quire the third baseman to have the same control of his 
feet as the first baseman must have if he plays his base 
well. The put-outs which are made by the third base- 
men are, with few exceptions, put-outs which are the 
result of runners being touched out. The third baseman 
for that reason should, like the second baseman, cultivate 
touching runners handily. 

Touching runners a hard task. 

The hardest plays which fall to the lot of a third base- 
man in touching out runners are those in which a runner 
is trying to make third on a long distance hit. Almost 
invariably the last base, which may be the third base, is 
attempted by a slide. It is not a slide of ease, but a hard, 
desperate slide in which the runner, if he is a ,p;-ood l)ase- 
runner, tries to hook his foot into the bag and to throw 
his body to one side. 

On most of these plays the ball goes to the third base- 
man at angles which are difficult to handle. IMost of the 
time it goes on the bound. The baseman must not only 
watch the runner to keep his location in mind but he 
must also be sure of the ball. If he takes his eyes from 
the ball when it is nearing him he will be pretty sure to 
lose track of it altogether. If the runner's position is 
lost it will be that much harder for the baseman to touch 
him out. In any event, the baseman has the task of a 
very severe play to make. The risk of blocking the run- 
ner is bad policy, because a runner goes into third base 
with great force as a rule. 




102 Spalding's Athletic Library 

The proper position to play for a 
runner is tfo be a little away from 
the base line and on the infield side, 
which is the side toward home plate. 
If the fielder will throw the ball to 
that point the baseman can stoop 
over and touch the nmner as he 
slides by him, if it is possible to 
whl^h^'t i:St\ \Ll7r touch him. Should the throw be 
7'b7d ;°JsiHo'n'f 'o^ whlT poor the baseman will have to fol- 
io try for a runner c— Jq^ ^he ball rcgardlcss of the run- 

iilocking runner at third, a ° 

dangerous experiment. ^er, and when that happens there- 
Is a better chance for the runner to make the base. 
Everything about this play is exacting and it is one which 
requires pluck upon the part of the baseman and skill. 
A third baseman who does not try to get into the play 
and who does not understand the necessity for it will not 
be of high-class service to his team. 

When third baseman does not "play in." 

When there is a runner on second base and one on 
first base and the batter shows an intention to sacrifice 
or bunt the ball, it is not good policy for the third base- 
' man to play in if the first baseman and pitcher have sig- 
nified that they will take care of the sacrifice providing 
the ball comes in territory which they can guard. If the 
first baseman picks up the ball he will throw it to third 
base for the force play, and the third baseman should be 
sure that he is on the, base, playing it in that case as if 
it were first base. It will not be necessary to touch the 
runner and there will be a chance of making a double 



Spalding's Athletic Library 103 

play ac first base. As a rule, there is more time to make 
the double play at first base than at second, because the 
runner at first base will have a good start when the ball 
is batted. If he is a slow runner it is the better play to 
try to get him at second base, because it is always the 
best base ball to retire the runner who is nearest home. 
Be careful about getting too far into the territory of 
the shortstop. To try to get any ground hit which seems 
to be within reach is commendable, but there are times 
when the shortstop should be permitted to take care of 
the ball and the third baseman should keep away from it, 
even if he can get his hands on it. If given to the short- 
stop to handle he can field the ball from a perfectly nor- 
mal and natural position, but if the third baseman be 
allowed to iry to handle it he may make a hard chance 
out of an easy one. 




Correct way to stand at third l)l^^. xslmi tin catclur i-. trNint; to 
catch a base-runner napping. After the runner has once touched 
the base and left it he must return to the base at his own risk, 
except the rules provide otherwise. (J. Johnston, Brooklyn.) 



Spalding's Athletic Library 105 



Third Baseman Playing for the Batter 

There is a constant battle of wits going on between the 
third baseman and the batter, even more so than between 
the batter and any other player of the infield. The sec- 
ond baseman plays so far back that he can gauge almost 
any ground hit, the shortstop can place himself without 
regard to a base, and even the first baseman who has his 
troubles with the batter does not have so many difficulties 
as the third baseman. The latter handles the bulk of 
the work that has to do with advancing base-runners by 
means of the sacrifice, and that is why his position is so 
vexing. 

If the batter can draw the third baseman inside the 
base line and well toward home plate, and he happens 
to be a good batter, nothing gives him more delight than 
to tap the ball over the third baseman's head or cut it 
to one side on the ground, where the chances are all in 
favor of the ball. How can the third baseman prevent 
that? He cannot always. It is his guess against that of 
the batter, and if the latter has outwitted him the penalty 
will be against the team that is playing on the defensive. 

If the batter who intends to sacrifice can make the 
third baseman believe that he means to bat the ball out, 
he, too, is jubilant for the moment, and happier if he 
succeeds in cleverly bunting the ball when the third base- 
man is out of position to field it. With other duties that 
are facing him, the third baseman must keep the batter 
steadily under supervision, and especially when there arc 
runners on the bases. 



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Spalding's Athletic Library 




This is one of the most frequent of double plays when the 
conditions described exist — runners on first and second. 
Play is from shortstop to third baseman to second base- 
man, batter, of course, being safe (if only one out). 



Spalding's Athletic Library 107 

Playing for batted balls with one hand is never encour- 
aged except for the third baseman. There are some hits 
which the third baseman has little or no chance to handle, 
if he does not try for them with one hand. A bunt close 
to the foul line and not far from home plate, if not played 
with one hand will be a safe hit almost invariably. Its 
possibility of being safe increases in proportion with the 
speed of the batter. If a fast runner bunt the ball to 
the left field foul line at a time when the logical man to 
try to get the ball is the third baseman, the best hope for 



cQ. 



A- B 



Hits within area of dotted line, A-B, are sometimes best played with one 
hand. Third baseman should be on the lookout for hits in the territory 
C-D, when batsman is trying to advance runner. 

the third baseman to retire the batter is to race forward, 
scoop the ball with one hand, if he can, and throw under- 
hand to first base. If he tries to field the ball with both 
hands he loses just half the turn of his body, which would 
have been saved had he been able to pick up the ball from 
the ground and throw it with one motion. It is such 
plays as these which make the difi^erence between ordi- 
nary base ball and championship base ball. They also 
show the difference between winning base ball and losing 
base ball, even wdien the score is not close. 

Some left-handed batters place the ball fairly well in 
left field, but there are few of them who can do so with- 
out betraying their intention. They cannot take a full 
swing and hit to left field except by accident. If the 



108 Spalding's Athletic Library 

third baseman will note the position of the batter at the 
plate he can determine very often whether the possible 
intent is to bat the ball to left field. The left-handed 
batter indicates his left field intentions by standing with 
his arms extended from his body instead of having them 
hanging low and naturally, with the hands resting against 
his belt. The right-handed batter, who takes a free 
swing at the ball and pulls his bat well around, is a sure 
left field hitter nine times out of ten, and if the third 
baseman notes that a batter on his first time at the plate 
swings so hard that he turns his feet and body away 
from home plate he should play him for a pronounced 
left field hitter. 

It is better always to try to get the ball by running in 
for it than to wait for it to bound back of the base line. 
If a fielder is sure of himself it is best to play for the 
ball on the early bounds instead of on the late bounds. 
The quicker that a ball is recovered by the third base- 
rtian the better it is for him, as the throw is shorter. 
When there is a runner on third 
base and it is probable that the 
squeeze play will be tried, the third 
baseman should not permit himself 
to be drawn in. If he does and the 
runner attempts to return to third 
base he is likely to regain it in 
safety, as there will be no one 

A— Correct position to play guarding it. 

when "squeeze" sign has -p . ,, , . , , 

been discovered by team in It Occasionally happens ni boys 

field. If third baseman ad- j_i i i 

vances to B for bunt hit gamcs that the batter and runner 

catcher will be unable to j , i ,i u >» i tt 

throw to him. Undertake the squeeze play. Usu- 




Spalding's Athletic Library 109 

ally the runner, when the boys try it, is so anxious to get 
home that he jeopardizes the play by running so far 
down the line that he has no chance to make his way 
back to third base if the catcher and pitcher are aware 
of what is going on, and play accordingly. The squeeze 
play is a doubtful experiment, except with players who 
have had much experience. Now and then it is success- 
ful and now and then it does a great deal of good to a 
team which when it does win is accustomed to win by a 
small score. The championship organizations find less 
occasion to resort to it because they depend upon a larger, 
number of runs than their rivals and try to make their 
runs by straight out batting and good base-running. 

Pitcher and third baseman must "team up." 

In playing for the batter, be sure that there is a fine 
understanding with the pitcher in case the ball is bunted. 
In certain emergencies the pitcher should cover the 
ground hit and the third baseman should be sure that he 
intends to do so. There is nothing more distressing than 
to see no one playing for the ball. 

When the ball is bunted very close to the foul line and 
there is a runner on base who will be benefited by a sac- 
rifice, don't pick it up, but give it a chance to roll foul. 
Be sure to do this when it is quite certain that the batter 
will beat the ball to first base if you should pick it up 
and throw it. A foul and a strike on the batter are much 
better than two players on the bases. Sometimes the ball 
will fool you and stop on fair territory, but it is the luck 
of the game, and the chance is worth taking. 




Catching a low throw and playing the base at the same time. 
Notice how the ball is caught by the gloved hand with the un- 
gloved hand ready to be shut upoh it, like a trap door. Also 
notice that the foot is jammed tight against the base. If a force 
play, the runner would be out if the ball arrived ahead of him. 
With the foot on the base the third baseman knows its exact loca- 
tion and guesses correspondingly where to reach for the runner. 
(McKechnie, Pittsburgh.) 



Spalding's Athletic Library 



Third Baseman Playing for the Runner 

Third base is not stolen as often as some managers 
think it should be. Many and many is the argument 
which takes place over this play in major league base 
ball. Some managers are agreed that the base should be 
stolen almost as often as second base, and others believe 
that it is risking too much to try too many steals of third 
when a batter is half way advanced for a run with every 
possibility of being able to score on a hard base-hit. 
Third base might be stolen more if the runners would 
study the situation better than they do. Most of them 
in major league clubs know that some managers are 
inclined to scoff at stealing third base and never make 
the effort, because they do not like the reprimand which 
is too likely to follow if they are unsuccessful. 

If there is a clever runner at bat and as good a runner 
on second base, the third baseman is puzzled sometimes. 
If he plays too close to the plate, expecting a bunt, and 
the runner at second makes a dash for third, a smart 
batter will not make any effort to hit the ball, feeling that 
the runner has third base in safety, for the third base- 
man is too far in to be dangerous. The catcher cannot 
throw to him. If the third baseman plays back and the 
runner starts from second base for third, the batter, if 
he is in touch with the runner, will probably bunt the ball 
and the team in the field will be caught with no defense, 
while the runner goes to third base without liability to 
be put out and the batter very likely makes a base-hit. 

Or it may happen that the third baseman, as he closes 
in on the batter, will find the ball going past him at a 



112 Spalding's Athletic Library 

fast clip, while the runner from second not only makes 
third in safety but scores on the play. The batter, tak- 
ing advantage of the runner's lead from second base, and 
knowing the third baseman expected a bunt, will hit the 
ball hard toward left field. There are batters who can 
do that sort of thing. 

Plan to trap the base-runner. 

If a third baseman is sure that the runner and the bat- 
ter are going to help one another out, the best thing that 
he can do is to try to communicate his information to the 
pitcher and get the latter to throw the ball wide to the 
catcher. Then the latter will have a chance to make a 
quick return to the third baseman and the runner from 
second will be retired, because he had no help from his 
fellow member. As a rule, the third baseman will have 
much the worse part of this play, because it is so diffi- 
cult to try to read the minds of two opposing players, or 
to guess their intentions. 

If possible, try to play a thrown ball at third base so 
that the runner will be in front of you. If he is a clever 
runner he will try to get behind you so that it will be 
difficult for you to put him out, but you try to keep 
behind him. You can watch him better when he is in 
front of you and can force him to run close to the line. 
If he gets behind the third baseman, when he slides he 
will throw his body far out of the way of the base, try- 
ing either to hook it with one of his feet or with a body- 
slide cling to the base with one hand, while feet, legs and 
chest go far across the foul line and out of the reach of 
the third baseman. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 113 

It is no better policy to try to block runners at third 
base than it is at any of the other bases. The conse- 
quences to the baseman are likely to be followed with 
unpleasant results. If a runner is trying for extra bases 
he will take an extra long slide, sometimes, and if the 
baseman blocks the base he is bound to come into con- 
tact with the feet of the runner. More than that, re- 
member that it is against the rules of base ball to block a 
base without the ball in your possession. In time the 
bad practise of blocking base-runners may be removed 
from base ball like some other plays which have proved 
to be objectionable. There is an unwritten law in base 
ball to the effect that the runner has the right to the base 
paths under almost all conditions, and the basemen have 
been encroaching a little further than they should. 

The third baseman should remember that the runner 
whom he puts out must be touched as a rule. There are 
some force plays at third base, but they are few. The 
third baseman must learn to touch a runner from any 
angle at which he may receive a throw. The ball will 
come to him high and low and to one side. He must 
practise touching the runner from his heel to his shoul- 
ders. He may have to touch one on the head now and 
then, but those instances will be few. 

In running players down between third and home plate 
the third baseman should try to keep the ball between 
the runner and the plate. It is not a bad policy to 
chase the runner a step or two toward home plate, but 
to run him to within a few feet of home and then throw 
the ball is very bad policy. The runner is likely to 
bump the catcher and the ball will be lost on the ground, 



114 Spalding's Athletic Library 

while the run will score. The ball between the runner 

and home plate is a menace to the runner. Between the 

• ^^ runner and third base it will encourage the runner 

♦.-r \ to go toward home and not toward third, which 



x-vi 



\P'^\ 



..^.._<D — © @ O O-Qy 

7 ' 

A — Catcher. B — Pitcher. C — Runner. D — Third baseman. E — Ball 
either in catcher's or pitcher's hands between runner and home plate. F — 
Shortstop backing up third baseman. X-Y — Base line. 

is the very thing that all of the players of the third 
baseman's side do not wish to see happen. 

Never pursue the base-runner toward home. 

The third baseman should always avoid trying to 
touch the runner out unless the latter is coming toward 
the baseman. Do not chase the runner at any time and 
attempt to tag him except when following a runner 
back to second base, and even then do not hold the 
ball after the moment that it becomes evident the run- 
ner cannot be touched. Before throwing get the runner 
back toward second as closely as is reasonable, and then 
throw. Back up immediately to get a return throw, if 
necessary, and if a fielder has dropped in behind and 
taken your place, drop out of the run-up and get behind 
the fielder who is backing up the third baseman. 

When runners are rounding third base it is perfectly 
legitimate to stand on the inside corner of the base and 
compel them to take the outside, but no third baseman 
should attempt interference with a runner- Third base 
is next to the home plate and if a runner is advanced 
a base for interference, and the advancement begins at 
third base, it always means a run for the opposing team. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 115 



General Play at Third Base 

While practise is always advisable for young players 
to help them to attain accuracy in throwing, a sugges- 
tion is made that there be not too much of it. There 
is nothing which is worse for the young ball player than 
to throw until the arm is tired. There are some advo- 
cates of throwing who insist that the ball be thrown, 
and thrown, until the thrower has found it possible to 
hit a mark at which he aims nine times out of ten. 

That sounds good and if a fellow could throw that 
way he might become a kingpin at any position on the 
field. Practise will help to make a thrower more ac- 
curate. If it were not for practise the pitchers would 
not excel as they do, but practise also is trying on the 
arm when there is too much of it for long distances. 
Players have come into the major leagues who were 
arm tired and some of them were worse than arm tired, 
and all for the reason that they threw the ball con- 
stantly at full force toward some mark under the mis- 
taken belief that they were bettering their game for the 
future in which they were ambitious to be able to play 
base ball for one of the famous clubs. 

Every boy and beginner should practise throwing and 
so should the professional, but it can be overdone. When 
the arm feels tired, stop throwing for the day, and if the 
arm feels tired on the next day stop at once. The 
throw from third base to first base is a long throw. 
Many make it with difficulty. If they try to make it too 
often, or too steadily, the time will come when they will 



* '6 Spalding's Athletic Library 

be unable to make it. It has been very truly said that 
there are only so many throws in the arm and that it is 
bad policy to endeavor to use all of them up in the first 
year or two of base ball. 

Coolness a good quality in throwing. 

It has also been said that the practise of throwing a 
great deal will assist in accuracy. That is partially true. 
Some of the most accurate throwers make the poorest 
throws when they are called upon to act quickly. Keep 
cool if you wish to throw accurately. The excitable 
player may hit the bullseye in practise, but the roof in 
actual play. There have been some wonderfully good 
throw^ers in base ball playing at third base who could 
center the ball on almost any mark when they were 
among their fellow players before the beginning of the 
game, but who would finish the season with more wild 
throws than other third basemen in their league. The 
opposite of this is in the fact that there have been some 
third basemen who could barely get the ball across the 
diamond who hung to their positions for a long time 
because they were good infielders, were quick, and were 
accurate with what force they had to throw. They 
were of more value to their team than the strong, showy 
throwers who did all their throwing while a game was 
not being played. 

It is right for the third baseman to have a sign with 
the catcher as to when the ball may be thrown to third 
base with a runner on the base. However, it is not 
good policy to try to give the third baseman more signals 
than he can remember. Sometimes the signs are over- 



Spalding's Athletic Library 1 1 7 

done. Once there was a manager of a team in the 
West who had a system of signs for every player on 
his team. Before the season was over his team "went 
to signs" and went to seed at the same time. He 
devised more signs than the team scored runs in two- 
thirds of the year. He gave signs from the bench, the 
pitcher gave signs to the fielders, the catcher gave signs 
to all of the basemen, the basemen gave signs to each 
other, and the code of signs made a book of its own, 
to say nothing of the playing rules and a few other 
things. This manager never won a championship because 
he worked the sign business to death. 

Sometimes "signs" are overdone. 

• For one the writer believes that signs are a little 
overplayed except among the professionals. It is their 
business for the time being to use signs if they are with 
a team which finds it worth while to employ that kind 
of base ball. Remember one thing. The excuse that a 
player did not take a sign is one of the most frequent 
excuses that a losing manager has. Even when some 
managers have conducted championship teams they have 
been onlv too willing to place the fault of losing games 
on the alleged failure of a player to "take a sign" and 
when that is an excuse for defeat it makes base ball less 
a physical pleasure and more a mental task. That is 
not why base ball is played. ]\Tental exercise can be 
had from the game, but physical benefit and pleasure 
should be derived from it as well. 








I'la\ing successfully for a hot line (lri\c \vit!i uiU' hand. Xutice 
that the ball is played for with the gloved hand and that the 
player is not afraid to extend himself to his full limit to get the 
ball. (McKechnie, Pittsburgh.) 



Spalding's Athletic Library 119 



Equipment for Infielders 

Uniforms should be a part of the equipment for the 
game and almost all boys have them. There are two 
other essentials, however, which every infielder should 
have. One of them is a good glove. The other is a 
good pair of shoes. 

Nothing better than shoes that fit well. 

The shoes are a little more expensive than the gloves 
but they are "worth saving up for." When the writer 
was a boy it was not uncommon for some of the ball 
players to play barefooted. Not infrequently their toes 
got "right smart hits," but that did not keep the boys 
from playing base ball. No sir. The game was too 
good. The splendidly fitting shoes which are made now 
were unknown. The first base ball shoes were of canvas 
and were queer looking footgear compared with the 
shoes which have since been patterned. Yet those old 
fashioned canvas shoes were better than ordinary shoes 
in which to play base ball. On the cover of the Spalding 
Base Ball Guide may be seen A. G. Spalding as a ball 
player in 1876 wearing a pair of canvas shoes. 

Spalding shoes fit the feet splendidly. They are made 
exactly right for the purpose of nmning. The plates 
are properly placed and they are modeled to take hold 
of the ground so that they will be of benefit to the 
player. Spalding shoes are not heavy nor do they over- 
heat and tire the feet, as was the case of some of the old- 
time shoes which have long since been improved upon. 



120 Spalding's Athletic Library 

Get a glove that is well shaped to the lines of the hand, 
one where the padding rests easily in the depressions of 
the palm. Remember that too much padding, where the 
hand is thick, is not needed. Another point to be remem- 
bered is that the quicker the glove can be made pliable 
and soft the better it will be for catching hot liners and 
long flies. 

When a ball player loses a good glove he is discon- 
solate. The loss of his traveling bag doesn't mean much 
to him unless the glove happened to be in the bag. A 
glove is of such assistance, such value to him, particu- 
larly after it has become shaped to his hand that tem- 
porarily it seems to some of the older professionals as if 
they had lost the use of one hand. They take on about 
it at a great rate, and lose no time to get as quickly 
as possible to a Spalding store to find another. If there 
was no Spalding store near some little town, for instance, 
away down in the Southwest where the big league clubs 
often train, when the writer was secretary of the Giants, 
he was more than once implored to "Please wire Spald- 
ing's at Dallas or New Orleans right away; I got to 
have a new glove." 

Easy and a help for the hand. 

The glove will save the hand many a time and it will 
make base ball more a pleasure and more reliable because 
there is nothing which the fielder will not try with his 
gloved hand. The first baseman catches high fouls in 
his big mitt with vastly more confidence and the third 
baseman could not do so well without his glove to stop 
the hot ones that come his way. 



THE OUTFIELD 




bliowmg tlu \-^ll.llnll I nil whuli 1^ iiKiilc liy the hands to catch 
correctly a fly ball. The tielder has the hall safely, although it 
is almost concealed by the glove which he wears. Note long 
visor on his cap. (George Burns, Giants.) 

Photo by International Film Service. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 123 



THE OUTFIELDERS 

There are three outfielders. One is called the Left 
Fielder ; a second, the Center Fielder, and the third is 
called the Right Fielder. They have different duties to 
perform in a ball game, which will be explained later, 
but so far as their actual ball playing is concerned the 
feats which are demanded from their physical skill are 
much alike. 

Every outfielder must be a good judge of fly balls 
and should be able to catch them in all positions and 
on either side of his body. If he is expert enough to 
catch flies with one hand while running at top speed so 
much the better. He should not try one-hand catches 
when he can use both hands. That makes an easy chance 
difficult and for the sake of appearing dashing he would 
be likely to put the chances of his team in trouble. 

He must be able to catch line drives, sailing fly hits 
that go over his right shoulder or his left shoulder, and 
high arching flies which are difficult to gauge because of 
their altitude. He must be able to catch the ball "off 
his shoetops," as the saying goes. That means hard 
drives which fly low and to which the runner can just 
attain when he is compelled to stoop for the ball. 

He must be able to catch fly hits that are turned by 
the wind. The ball does not always sail straight out 
from the batsman. He must be able to catch the ball 
on the run with the same ease of confidence as which 
he might catch it if he were standing still. He must 
be able to get the fly hit that seems as if it will go over 



124 Spalding's Athletic Library 

his head with the confidence that he plays for the fly 
hit which falls in front of him. 

The boy or beginner can play the outfield without doing 
all of those things but he will not be likely to get into 
the big leagues unless he can do so. The task of playing 
the outfield is more exacting now that it ever has been 
and the fielding quality of the outfield game is superior 
to what it was in the past. Either boy or beginner who 
wishes to play the outfield, and who aspires to be a 
member of a major league team can acquire almost all 
of the needs of superior outfield work by practise. His 
practise work must be faithful and continuous. It is 
not necessary that he practise until he becomes stale, 
but it is necessary that he practise whenever an oppor- 
tunity ofifers. There are beginners who are natural out- 
fielders. There are some beginners who quickly develop 
into good outfielders and some who electrify their friends 
from the very beginning of their play by the admirable 
manner in which they handle themselves in the outfield. 

Outfielders must have good throwing arms. 

The second essential for the outfielder is a throwing 
arm of the very best quality. There are, and there have 
been, outfielders who could not throw better than ordi- 
nary. To throw the ball home with accuracy was an 
impossibility for them. They had to find assistance. One 
of the other players must run toward the outfield and 
relay the ball for them. 

In certain plays a relay throw has its advantages. On 
the other hand when it is known that an outfielder cannot 
get the ball to the infield from the deep outfield without 



Spalding's Athletic Library 125 

being assisted every batter who makes a long hit will 
try for an extra base, because he figures his chances are 
good to beat the throw. A runner who is going at top 
speed, as runners usually are when they have made long 
hits, will have the advantage over the outfielder by many 
feet. If the latter is a weak thrower he will throw short 
when he tries to make his best long throw, and if he 
attempts to run in with the ball and then throw it he 
adds a base to the runner's life. A hit which would be 
good for two bases and one half, we will say, will surely 
be good for three bases, and if the batter be an excep- 
tionally fast runner it may be good for a home run by 
a dashing slide to home plate. 

Batting occasionally redeems weak throwing. 

There are always some fielders carried by clubs in the 
major leagues who are comparatively weak throwers. 
The reason for retaining them is that they are good 
batters. If an outfielder is both a weak thrower and 
a medium batter he will not be successful long in higher 
grade base ball clubs. If a player is a very good fielder, 
a very good thrower, and a medium batter, the combina- 
tion is such that it is often to the highest advantage to 
the team to have him for defensive play. 

No player should undertake to play the outfield except 
that he has sharp eyesight. A fly ball cannot be judged 
unless the outfielder can see the ball perfectly from the 
time that it leaves the bat, or from the time that it 
breaks into sight after passing the shadow line of the 
stands. The latter statement may give a new idea to 
some who have not followed the playing of the outfield 



126 



Spalding's Athletic Library 

n 




.V'V 



Three rear figures indicate the usual positions of left, cen- 
ter and right fielders; the inner line of lighter figures indi- 
cates where outfielders would move, approximately, when 
playing to catch a runner at plate with one out and tie 
score threatened. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 127 

in recent years. On the grounds in the larger cities 
where there are huge stands it is not always possible to 
see the ball when it leaves the bat. The shade made by 
the stand obscures it. This is particularly true where 
the stands tower high and where the air is thick because 
of smoke or fog hanging over the park. 

Ear helps to judge the fly balls. 

In conditions of this kind the outfielder who excels 
trains his ear to get an idea as to the flight of the ball. 
There have been many outfielders whose ears were val- 
uable assistants to their eyes in telling them where the 
ball was to be expected. They played a fly hit by the 
crack of the bat against the ball and not wholly by 
straining their vision to see the ball at the exact moment 
at which it left the bat. Often, perhaps, a spectator has 
seen an outfielder dash for the ball when it would seem 
that it had been batted only that instant. He marvels at 
the superior eyesight of the outfielder. As a matter of 
fact, it was not vision alone which was better than that 
of the ordinary human but his hearing which gave him 
an idea as to where to expect the ball. There probably 
never has been any outfielder who could judge fly hits 
better than James R. McAleer, once center fielder for 
the Cleveland club. He gauged the ball by the sound 
as well as by sight and some of his catches in the out- 
field were astounding. Competent critics and judges have 
frequently held that he was superior to all outfielders 
as a fielder of fly balls. He was not a hard hitting ball 
player but he was worth his weight in gold to the Cleve- 
land club because of the superb defense which he played 



128 Spalding's Athletic Library 

for the Cleveland pitchers. It has been said, repeatedly, 
gind with great truth, that it was no wonder Cleveland 
pitchers made such fine reputations with a player like 
McAleer to catch the ball in the outfield. 

Outfielders must be able to run rapidly. 

A fourth essential for the outfielder is ability to run 
rapidly. In old days many outfielders were slow, but 
they were retained on teams because of their fine batting. 
It would hardly do to say that some of these outfielders 
would not be acceptable now, especially to such teams as 
might be looking for batting ability, but no team would 
retain two of them, as has been the case in the past. 
A club could not afiford to do it if it expected to win a 
pennant. The outfielder must be able to run fast, not 
only to get the long fly hits which come to him in the 
outfield but to hold his own in other departments of the 
game. Not so much attention was paid to the speed 
of a team in the earlier days of base ball as is paid to 
it now. Then it was the theory of the managers that 
runs were made most numerously and easiest by hitting 
the ball hard. Slugging ability was held to make up for 
lack of speed. The development of the game in recent 
years has been leaning strongly toward the side of speed 
'and frequently good batters have been rejected and turned 
back to smaller leagues because they could not run fast 
enough to catch flies, or to score on possible chances. 
They blocked the members of their own team on the base 
paths. 

The foregoing statements constitute physical needs for 
a player who essays to be a steady outfielder for his 



Spalding's Athletic Library 129 

school, or college, or for some team in professional base 
ball. The beginner may not have all of them. He may 
not develop all of them, even by steady and faithful prac- 
tise, but he may develop some of them and he will surely 
be a better outfielder if he practises to develop all of 
them. 

Never hesitate to take practise. 

Practise will aid in learning how to catch a fly ball. 
It will assist in throwing. It cannot do much to improve 
a natural defect of vision, but it will do a great deal 
to increase speed in running. The mere matter of prac- 
tising a quick start in running will help an outfielder 
immensely. The foot or two which is gained by the 
quick start, as against the slow and hesitant start, may 
turn what seemed to be a certain three-bagger into a 
home run. On the other hand, many a long hit loses an 
extra base because of a slow start. Many a spectacular 
catch which is made in professional base ball games, and 
which the spectators insist has never been equaled, came 
about solely because the outfielder had learned how to 
start quickly. Slow starting will not help matters much 
when a liner is sailing at top speed toward the fences of 
a ball park. 



Spalding's Athletic Libr.ary 131 



The Positions on the Field 

There is no set position for any outfielder. The left 
fielder is supposed to take care of the territory between 
an imaginary line which is drawn about six feet to the 
left of second base and extending to the fence, and the 
designated line of the left field foul boundary. The 
center fielder is supposed to take care of the territory 
between an imaginary line six feet to the left of second 
base and another imaginary line six feet to the right of 
second base, both lines extended to the fence in the out- 
field. The right fielder is supposed to take care of the 
territory between an imaginary line drawn six feet to 
the right of second base and the designated line of the 
right field foul boundary. In reality all of them play 
in each other's territory when occasion requires and they 
are presumed to have such a well understood arrange- 
ment among them that when one of them indicates that 
he will take a certain fly ball, others permit him to catch 
it and at the same time prepare to support him if he 
misses it. 

No outfielder should say to another, "This is my place, 
keep out of it." On the contrary, all outfielders should 
help each other out, work in harmony and unison, and 
should be glad that any one of them has placed himself 
so well that he can catch a fly hit which, if missed, or 
if it fell safe, might change the outcome of the game. 
Let this fact be specially noted by younger players who 
seem to be of impression that they have an exclusive 
right to a certain plot of ground if they happen to be 



132 Spalding's Athletic Library 

playing in that particular plot. On the other hand, among 
the younger players there should be none who tries to 
get the ball when it is foolish to run too far into terri- 
tory which he is not expected to cover except in 
emergency. 

Where the fielders station themselves. 

When the game begins, if the batter is a pronounced 
left field hitter, the left fielder will play close to the 
left field foul line. The center fielder will station himself 
to the left of exact center and the right fielder will not 
play so closely to the foul line on his side of the field 
as he might have played if the conditions were reversed 
and the batter a pronounced right field hitter. 

The important thing to know in the outfield is where 
the batter is accustomed to place the ball and play for 
him accordingly. When the batters are strangers to the 
outfielders the best thing to do is to play the field as 
the batter happens to stand at the plate. If he is a right- 
handed batter give left field the preference in defense. 
If a left-handed batter give right field the preference. 
By the time that the batting order has been played 
through once, the outfielders may have some idea as to 
where they would best station themselves to guard their 
positions well against the team which is in. 

If a fly ball is batted to any one of the three fields 
the first and only thing which falls to the fielder is to 
get the ball, if he can. That is the beginning and the 
end of outfielding. 

Suppose the ball goes to the outfielder on the bound. 
What then? That is a new test of the young player's 



Spalding's Athletic Library 133 

ability. He must show that he has some of the quaHfica- 
tions of the infielder as well as those of the outfielder. 
Some very awkward and difficult grounders go to the 
outfielders. It would seem that with all the distance 
which the ball has to roll to get to the outfield it should 
be well handled after it arrives there, but it is not always 
possible to handle it well. The ball may sneak. That 
is, it will roll closely to the ground instead of boundins; 
up, and there is nothing which will fool an outfielder 
more and for which he will more likely be soundly 
criticized if he misses it, although it is one of the most 
difficult of all hits to handle. The ball may be rolling 
perfectly true and suddenly take a shoot which throws 
it high in the air. With a bound, the ball will go above 
the outfielder's head and he must turn disconsolately and 
chase it, while the crowd rages. 

Hits that have fooled all outfielders. 

These are the exceptions, it is true, but they are all 
part of playing the outfield. Many and many a young 
player, and old one, too, has been fooled by such hits in 
the past. There is no sure way of playing against a 
hazard of the ball field of this character. The quicker 
that a player is in action the better chance he has to 
overcome such things, but quickness is the only thing 
which will save him. When it does happen he should 
be prepared to make an instant turn and go back, not 
so much to try to get the ball as to help his fellow out- 
fielder who should have been backing him up. It is the 
latter's province to get the ball and the first outfielder's 
province to aid in relaying it to the infield. 



134 






Spalding's Athletic Library 




Safe hit to left field. Shortstop leaves fielding position to 
cover second base on throw-in from left fielder, while sec- 
ond baseman goes over to back up shortstop. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 135 

Playing for the Ball 

It is important in trying for fly catches in the outfield 
to hold the hands the right way. Some beginners start 
by attempting to catch flies with their hands crossed. 
The ball is attempted to be grasped by the left hand 
and the right hand is crossed at right angles to the left, 
like a backstop, and then hinged over upon the ball when 
the latter falls into the left hand. 

That is the primitive way of catching fly hits and it 
is a bad method. Get away from it at once. There have 
l)een players who came from smaller organizations to 
clubs of the larger minor circuits and the major cir- 
cuits who retained that method of attempting to catch 
flies. Not many of them lasted long. If they were 
unable to cure themselves of that style of ball playing 
their fate was sealed. Even good batting in these days is 
not always an offset to a method of outfielding which is 
dangerous to the success of a base ball team. 

There are two ways to hold, or trap^ a ball correctly 
when it is batted on the fly. One is to make a cup of 
both hands and hold the hands with the palms upward 
in front of the body, and the other is to make a cup 
of the hands and hold the hands with their backs turned 
toward the body. Both ways can be used at different 
times. Of the two the second is often preferred, as 
there is a natural give on the part of the arms toward 
the body which assists the player to hold the ball. It is 
not good policy to try to catch a ball and hold the hands 
rigidly. Always let them give a little in the direction 
in which the ball is making its flight. 



136 



Spalding's Athletic Library 




Double play occurs when batter hits a "Texas Leaguer" or 
a fly that seems impossible to catch, and not an "infield fly," 
according to umpire's decision. There is nothing in the 
/ules to prevent the shortstop letting the ball touch the 
ground first and then trying to get a double play to second 
to first, but he is taking a long chance. Black figure 
between first and second bases shows runner caugh-t off 
base who had started for second base after deciding — erro- 
neously, as it happened — that the shortstop would not be 
able to catch the fly hit. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 137 

The next thing to be learned in catching a fly ball is 
the necessity of keeping the eyes upon the l^all. Expert 
fielders will run back at times with their backs to the 
ball because they have obtained what they believe to be 
a perfect idea of its line of flight. Beginners are to be 
encouraged in practising that method. No matter if every 
fly is misjudged for a week, keep at it. Do not be dis- 
couraged by the first failure or the first twenty failures. 
Perhaps it will never be as easy to some players as 
others, but if it can be learned by practise it will be 
one of the most valuable accomplishments that the 
aspiring young outfielder has acquired. 

Watching for the hits to one side. 

It is not only the fly hits which go over the head of 
the outfielder which should be watched and for which 
practise should be maintained constantly, but it is also 
the hits which go to one side of him and which do not 
quite reach him. All of these are best fielded by keeping 
the eyes on the ball. In the last thirty feet of the 
drop of a fly hit, if the fielder permits his attention to be 
deviated for a moment, he will be fortunate if he does 
not drop the ball. 

The hands catch the ball, the eye judges it, and the 
feet carry the fielder to where the ball is presumed to be 
about to touch the ground. • 

It is apparent that the faster the runner the better 
outfielder he will be. This is so evident that it is only 
worth while to mention as a fine quality to have for per- 
fect playing. The outfielder, in addition to being pos- 
sessed of speed, should be able to start quickly. The 



138 Spalding's Athletic Library 

quick start is not always natural to players. It is acquired 
by some of them after practise and others seem to be 
unable to get into action with agility no matter how 
hard they try. That should discourage none from prac- 
tising. 

Better playing increases enjoyment in game. 

Note how often this word "practise" comes into use 
in writing about the essentials of good ball playing. 
Every game which is played will be played better by 
practise, and for that reason the younger players are 
urged, and urged again and again, to keep up their prac- 
tise if they wish to improve. The game of base ball, 
like all other games, becomes more enjoyable the better 
that it is played. A splendid running catch in the out- 
field brings as much joy to the player who got the ball 
as it does to the spectators who attest their approval by 
cheering and clapping their hands. Even the oldtimers 
beam when they have done something that is unusually 
good. 

Practise for quicker starting is simply that which is 
followed by the sprinter who tries to get away quickly 
from his mark and not beat the report of the pistol. If 
the fielder does not always have some one to bat the ball 
to him he can draw a line on the earth and practise get- 
ting away from that on his toes. When in the outfield 
make a point in practise of always starting quickly, no 
matter where the ball seems likely to land. In time it 
will be as much a habit to be up and on one's toes as it 
will be to start for the ball. The quicker start will come 
into existence almost without realization of it. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 139 

Attention has already been paid to throwing, but while 
on this chapter of "Playing For the Ball'' it is proper to 
note that the throw to the plate is better made on the 
bound than on the fly. There are comparatively few 
high-class long distance throwers. Nature could hardly 
be expected to deal otherwise with the human frame, as 
we know that not all of us are cast in the same physical 
mould. The catcher as a rule can do better work with 
the ball when it comes to him on the bound. For that 
matter, if the throw be to the pitcher who is to play for 
one runner, if another cannot be put out, it is best to 
throw on the bound. If a ball is thrown on the fly, and 
is poorly thrown, it is almost certain to permit the run- 
ner to make an extra base and perhaps two. On the 
other hand, a throw which bounces is handled better 
because the fielder, awaiting it, has some chance to shift 
his feet and, though he may not get the ball exactly in his 
hands, he will be able to block it and the runner will not 
gain so much in bases as he might otherwise. 

Line the ball on a relay throw. 

When relay throws are to be made it is not well to 
throw the ball on the bound. Do just the opposite thing. 
Throw the ball on a line. The throw will not be so long, 
at its best, and it is important that the player who is tak- 
ing part in the relay receive the ball about chest high 
squarely in his hands so that he can turn quickly and 
throw home or to some base, as the situation demands. 

Bear these facts well in mind. If a long throw, direct 
to the plate, send the ball in on the bound, but if a short 
throw for a relay, line it straight and true to the man 
who is the pivot in the relay play. 






"Babe" Ruth out in his favorite spot in left field in the Polo 
Grounds, showing how he cups his hands when he is after the 
high ones. Photo by International Film Service. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 141 



Making the Proper Play 

More games are lost because the outfielder does not 
keep the game well in mind and hold himself ready to 
make the right play than are lost by the outfielders mak- 
ing fielding errors. Remember that. For instance, if 
there is a runner on first base and he tries to go to third, 
with the chances all in his favor of making third base, 
do not throw the ball to third base, for if you do so the 
batter, who has become a runner, will make an extra base 
ninety-five times out of one hundred. Instead of having 
a runner on third base and one on first, which is a situ- 
ation not so easy for the batting side to handle, there will 
be a runner on third base and another on second base, 
and the batting side will be in clover. 

Many and many a game has been fooled away in major 
league championship races, and just as many in the col- 
lege arena and in amateur sport, because the outfielder 
will make heedless and needless throws — injudicious 
throws which help to the defeat of his own team. Never 
throw the ball to a base if the odds are against that play 
resulting in an out. It is playing the game for the other 
team when you do that. 

Never be afraid to return a base-hit to the fielder who 
is in the locality of second base. It has been stated that 
all base-hits should be returned to second base. That is 
misleading. What was meant by that statement was that 
the logical place to return a base-hit is somewhere in the 
vicinity of second base, when there is another play to be 
made, or when the batter is to be kept from advancing 



142 Spalding's Athletic Library 

no further than first base. It certainly would be poor 
policy to throw to first base to keep a batter on that 
base, because the longer throw would be just the thing 
which would permit the runner to get to the next base 
and, in addition to that, the ball would be played "behind 
the runner." There is nothing which gives a manager a 
meaner afternoon than to have his players throw the ball 
behind the runner. Keep it in front of him, so that he 
cannot advance against it. 

Never attempt useless throws to retire runners. 

Almost all of the throws to home plate are made after 
a fly ball has been caught and a runner on third base 
attempts to score following the catch. Do not throw the 
ball home if it is assured that the runner can score. If 
there are other runners on the bases they will advance 
at once. Throw the ball to the pitcher, if that play is 
customary with the team. He will stand in the center 
of the diamond and guard the various bases. If not the 
pitcher, throw to the infielder, who is running out ready 
to handle the ball the moment that you pass* it to him. 

It is foolish to try to throw a runner out who is scor- 
ing from third base on a clean hit. Yet it is tried. It is 
equally foolish to try to throw a runner out who has 
started from second on a clean base-hit if he is within 
twenty feet of the home plate when the ball is recovered. 
He cannot be caught, unless he falls down. 

It is a fine play to throw a runner out from third 
after catching a fly, if there is but one hand out, or no 
one out. There need be no hesitancy in trying that play 
if there seems to be a chance to make it. Again, be sure 



Spalding's Athletic Library 143 

• 

to throw the ball on the bound. The catcher can handle 
it very much better and the bound will glide into his 
hands perhaps at the very angle which is most desirable 
to touch out the runner. If thrown on a line it may be 
so low that the runner cannot be touched or so high that 
it will be the province of the catcher to save the ball from 
going over his head while the runner slides in to safety. 

Be careful not to help "the enemy." 

Do not play for a runner from third base when it is 
very doubtful whether you can put him out and not a bit 
doubtful that a runner on second base will get to third 
on the throw. That is helping the enemy. Why make a 
play that gives the player of another team an added base ? 
Throw the ball to the second baseman or to the short- 
stop, who will see that the runner at second is pinned 
there. He should be. If he gets to third base he will 
have a chance to score on a battery error or on some 
trivial mistake on which he could not have scored had 
he been held at second base. 

One kind of hit to the outfield is always a source of 
embarrassment to the outfielder. It is that type of hit 
which is short and falls to the ground at a spot where 
the outfielder is in doubt whether to try for a catch or 
attempt to play the ball on the short bound. It is not an 
easy task to give advice on that play. Most outfielders 
try to "smother'' the ball, which means to get it between 
the glove and the ground, which is about as good as any- 
thing that can be attempted. A safe way to play such 
hits is to give them a chance to bound. Play for the 
bound rather than the catch. If an outfielder is fast, 



144 Spalding's Athletic Library 

however, and can get to the ball where he can choke it 
down as it is about to bound, he will have gained dis- 
tance and time for his team. If the ball gets away the 
probabilities are that it will go to the playing boundary 
of the field. It is a play in which the fielder must use 
his best judgment. To make an arbitrary assertion that 
one thing or another should always be done is too much. 
Another play requiring judgment on the part of the 
right or the left outfielders is a long foul fly with a run- 
ner on third and only one out. Although the ball is a 
foul fly, the runner is permitted to start from the base 
the instant the ball touches the outfielder's hands. A 
good runner is often able to beat a throw to the catcher. 
More than one game has been lost by an outfielder — a 
right fielder especially — catching a long foul fly. If there 
is any doubt in the outfielder's mind it would be best not 
to attempt to catch the ball. A player on second will 
sometimes make a try for third base under similar cir- 
cumstances. 

Outfielders should always "back up" basemen. 

The proper play of the outfielder is also backing up 
the basemen. The right fielder should give assistance to 
the first baseman and to the second baseman. The center 
fielder should always back up the second baseman and 
also the shortstop when the latter is playing second base. 
The left fielder should be on the watch to go to the aid of 
the third baseman and sometimes he can help out the sec- 
ond baseman when the ball is thrown across the diamond. 

The right fielder and the left fielder must go to the 
assistance of the center fielder. The center fielder must 



Spalding's Athletic Library 145 

go to the assistance of both the right fielder and the left 
fielder. Sometimes when two fielders come close to- 
gether one of them will partially catch the ball. It will 
bound from his hands into those of another fielder. On 
that kind of a play the batter is out exactly as if the ball 
had been securely held by the first fielder who touched it. 

The center fielder will have the greater area over 
which to range. It is essential that he help both the right 
and the left fielder and that he run forward to assist 
the second baseman. In addition to this, he has his share 
of fly hits to which he must give his attention. All of 
the outfielders should know the signs of the catcher, that 
they may govern themselves accordingly, although it is 
but fair to say that it is not easy to read the signs if they 
are concealed well. The old theory that there should be 
signs between the outfielder and the pitcher is no longer 
of much account. The game was made too intricate by 
using them. If the pitcher wishes the outfielder to change 
position he usually beckons to him to do so. 

Signs are primarily a battery arrangement. Those who 
are interested in battery signs are referred to the chapter 
on the subject in the Spalding Athletic Library book, 
"How to Catch and How to Run Bases,'' also to remarks 
on the subject in "How to Alanage, etc.," in the same 
series. 




Uutlit'lders sliuuld always siart on their toes, as this uutueldci 
has started. Starting flat-footed means the loss of at least one 
step and possibly two in trying to catch any kind of a fly ball 
to the outfield. ' (Carey, Pittsburgh.) 



Spalding's Athletic Library 147 



The Field, the Wind and the Sun 

The outfielder is not a weather prophet, as one might 
think from the title of this chapter, but the ground con- 
ditions and the atmospheric conditions concern him per- 
sonally more than they do some of the other players on 
the team. Very often he does not have the fine, smooth 
surfaced turf which covers the infield. The wind can 
so change the flight of fly balls that they deviate a long 
way from a straight line before they are caught. The 
sun is an annoyance to any fielder, but to an outfielder, 
when the sun shines directly into his eyes, the annoyance 
becomes almost unbearable. 

When playing on a strange ground, always note its 
depressions and elevations if it has any. Look out for 
dead furrows. Many a player has received a bad fall or 
a mean blow from the ball by running into a dead furrow 
the existence of which he did not know. A dead furrow 
is an open ditch, concealed by the grass, left at some 
time in the past when the field was plowed or- perhaps 
run through the ground for purposes of drainage and 
which never was filled. 

If the field is one which has been built for professional 
purposes, be sure that you have given the stand fences 
careful consideration as to their distance behind you 
when you are playing for the average long fly. It is also 
well to have the ball batted into the barrier a few times, 
if possible, in order that you may get an understanding 
as to how the ball rebounds when it strikes the wall. 
These bounds will depend greatly upon the angle at which 



'48 Spalding's Athletic Library 

the ball hits the barrier. If the fence, for example, is 
exactly at right angles to the field the ball will be more 
likely to bound straight out. If it is not at right angles 
the ball will bound at a very moderate angle and perhaps 
roll down the field further than ever from home plate. 

Ball takes peculiar bounds from fences. 

Playing the outfield takes a great deal of skilled work 
when there is a fence to be considered in every game 
which is played. Hence the suggestion that the fences 
should be studied carefully, exactly as the other points 
of a ball ground are studied. 

If there is an elevation at some part of your field be 
sure to get its position well located in the mind and be 
ready for it. If running out for a fly ball there will be 
a tendency to stumble if the elevation is suddenly encoun- 
tered without expectancy. On the other hand, be as sure 
there are no depressions with which you are not conver- 
sant, for when you run for a fly ball and keep your eyes 
on the ball, as you are supposed to keep them, you will 
have no eyes for holes in the ground and an unexpected 
step into one will probably throw you down, while the 
ball will escape you completely. 

Take note of the direction of the wind. This is most 
important in spring and autumn. Usually most of the 
games in summer time are played on days when the air 
is very still. If the wind is blowing from home plate be 
prepared to run back on flies that on most days would not 
go over your head. It is astonishing to note the amount 
of carry that can be put on a fly hit when it is considered 
that the surface of the ball is so small. If there were 



Spalding's Athletic Library 149 

much expanse to the ball no one would be surprised to 
see it sail, but a base ball is not an over-large projectile 
to go through the air and many persons are quite aston- 
ished at the curve which the wind gives to the drive of 
the batsman. 

Wind will change the course of the ball. 

If the wind blow from left field be prepared to veer 
over to the right to get fly hits that float. The moment 
the ball comes into contact with the counter wind it will 
begin to change its course toward right field. If it is 
batted straight out to center field, by the time it gets to 
the fielder it will be in right center. If the wind blows 
from the right field side, play more to the left field side. 
The ball will be carried in that direction by the passing 
gale. If the wind blows from back of you it will hold 
the ball in the air and make it easier for you to catch. 
Be sure, however, that you go far enough in for the ball. 
If you stop and hesitate, the wind will hold the hit so 
long that the ball will drop on the ground before you get 
to it. On any cross field wind, play the ball to one side. 
If you are fortunate enough to get it in front of you it 
will be caught that much easier, but there will be more 
possibility to get it on the side and for that reason it was 
suggested in a previous chapter that the player learn to 
catch fly balls on either side of his body, as well as di- 
rectly in front of him. 

The most experienced fielders are fooled now and then 
by the pranks which are played by the wind. Therefore 
try to learn all that can be learned about playing the ball 
correctly in a gale. The best way to learn is by practise, 



150 Spalding's Athletic Library 

and for that reason take advantage of a windy day to put 
in more practise than on a day which is cahn. As a rule, 
there will be many more days of still air than days of 
smart blows. 

Sunfield meanest position of all to play. 

The sunfield is the meanest position in which a ball 
player can be put. There is nothing harder and more 
irksome to play than the same field where day after day 
the sun stares one out of countenance. Many ball play- 
ers have been compelled to retire before their normal 
time because they have played the sunfield all of their 
careers. Another hardship for the sun outfielders is that 
those who become proficient seem never able to get away 
from them, because any manager will stick to a good sun 
outfielder when he will be willing to part with one who 
cannot play any part of a game in the sun. There are 
some players who find it impossible to play in the sun, 
and there are others who make it appear impossible for 
them to do so. The proven sunfielders are the real mar- 
tyrs of base ball, if there are any martyrs in the game. 

Continuous playing of the sunfield will affect the ball 
player in time. It is a test of the strongest eyesight, not 
the eyesight that can see farthest, but the eyesight which 
can stand the brunt of an attack day after day from the 
brightest light which we behold in the universe. If it 
were necessary for one to work for two hours in the 
glare of an electric arc light, into which it would be 
part of the task to glance every now and then, and part 
of the time to face, it would give an idea of what it is to 
play the sunfield in base ball. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 151 

Many outfielders play what is known as a cross-field 
when the sun shines brightly. They take a place de- 
cidedly to one side where they are out of the path of the 
direct rays of the sun, and when the ball is batted they 
run across the field to the point where they think it will 
be ready to bs caught. 

Special sunglasses are made for professional ball play- 
ers. Fred Clarke, former manager and fielder of the 
Pittsburgh Nationals, invented a sunglass that hinges on 
the cap and which can be turned up when not in use. It 
is sold by Spalding's and costs ten dollars. While expen- 
sive, they are splendidly adapted for their purpose and 
no doubt would save many an injury to the sight. How- 
ever, a less expensive style of sun glass with good quality 
metal frames may be procured at Spalding's for as low 
as $1.25. Some boys try colored glasses made of ordi- 
nary glass. There is risk attached to the use of those 
glasses and it is but fair that the young player should 
know it. In case of collision or fall, the frames of the 
glasses are not made strongly enough to keep them from 
breaking and splinters of glass may be thrown into the 
eye and afifect the sight. This has happened, and it seems 
only fair to make it clear that it can happen, for no one 
wishes a young ball player, or any other, to have his eye- 
sight injured by using a glass that is unsafe. 

Two caps good — one with long visor. 

Outfielders will find it to their advantage to have two 
caps for their games if they have to play a sunfield. One 
with a long visor can be worn while in the field and the 
other, with a much narrower visor, can be worn while 



152^ Spalding's Athletic Library 

the team is at bat. For that matter, some outfielders 
wear the long-visored cap during all the game. Its shade 
does not bother them at bat and the wider visor is of 
such usefulness, playing daily in the direct glare of the 
summer sun, that they do not wish to be without it. Be- 
ginners who would like to use the long visor will find 
that it does not come amiss. George Burns, left fielder 
for the Giants, prefers the long visor and always uses it 
on the Polo Grounds, where the sun rages in the eyes of 
the left fielders the season around. 

The sunfield can be played by shielding the eye with 
the gloved hand. It will not make a perfect screen, but 
it will make some screen. A little shade is better than 
nothing. The perfect screen is not always assured when 
the ball is being played with the best of sunglasses. The 
thing to do in the sunfield is to play it the very best that 
you know how and trust that there will be good fortune 
to follow your good intentions. 

Continuous playing in sun glare is bad. 

The professional player has all the better of the sun- 
field, because his special glasses will take him squarely 
into the fight for a sight of the ball and he will pick it 
out of the brightest of flashes that are coming from the 
big planet which feeds us with heat and light. 

No player who makes an honest effort to get a fly hit 
in a sunfield and fails to do so ever should be chided by 
his fellow players or scolded by the spectators. The 
player frequently undertakes that which is an almost 
impossible chance and deserves praise, whether he is 
successful or is not. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 153 



Playing for the Batter 

Every batter's batting channel will not be learned in 
the first game that is played against another team. This 
is the case in the contests of the boys and the beginners. 
Furthermore, in the games of boys and beginners the 
batters have not attained their growth and they have not, 
as a rule, fallen into a fixed habit of batting to one field 
or another. The right-handed batter is very likely to bat 
into right field, because he swings slowly on the ball and 
does not handle his bat with the trained skill of a player 
who has been playing professional base ball for a long 
time. 

It is not out of place, however, for outfielders in the 
boys' and beginners' teams to place themselves in the 
outfield as is indicated by the batters' positions at the 
plate. If the batter is right-handed, edge over a little 
toward left field. If he is left-handed, be sure that right 
field is well patroled. 

In professional games placing the fielders for batters 
is another matter. There are certain batters among the 
professionals who fall into the very bad habit of hitting 
certain kinds of pitching almost to the same spot. Any 
fly batted upon which the ball drops time and again within 
a radius of twenty feet or thirty feet is a hit to the same 
spot, because any outfielder will be able to move over 
thirty feet in short order, if the ball is traveling at the 
customary speed of arching fly hits. 

It is quite as bad a fault for the batter to place the 
ball all of the time as it is for the fielder not to remem- 



154 Spalding's Athletic Library 

ber that he does place the ball. It is the professional 
who must imperatively learn his batters and play them to 
the best of his professional skill. It is asking too much 
for boys and beginners to place outfield hits with assur- 
ance, but they can begin to try to place them. If they 
acquire the habit of placing such hits they will be better 
ball players when they are older. In this connection it 
is proper to call the attention of boys to the fact that 
they should not play too deep in the outfield in their 
games. Boys do not bat flies so far as adult profession- 
als. In boys' games outfielders should be at least one- 
third closer to the infield than in the games of their older 
brothers and semi-professionals and professionals. 

Outfielder must be able to start right or left. 

The outfielder must be alert. That has been referred 
to. He must be able to start to his right or to his left. 
If that sounds as if it were advice which is a little un- 
necessary, it is not. There have been, and probably will 
be, plenty of players who do not start quickly either to 
the right or to the left. In one of the two ways they are 
faulty. Almost every ball player can start forward 
quickly enough, and not every ball player can start back- 
ward quickly. There is room for practise in all of these 
starts, and take the practise whenever the opportunity 
offers. 

It is not necessary to plant one's shoe plates in the. 
turf. In fact, do just the other thing. Rest easily on 
them. If the spikes have got a grip in the ground it will 
be a difficult task to make a quick start. It will be just 
your bad luck to have them hold when you are most anx- 
ious to get "away on the jump." 



Spalding's Athletic Library 155 

One thing more about playing for the batter, and a 
very important item. If you are running for a fly and 
the fielder next you is also running for the ball, let him 
know unmistakably that you are going to try to catch it. 
Do not wait until within a few feet of the ball before you 
cry out, "I have it." Begin to shout for the ball the 
moment that you are c^tain that you are going to take it. 

Play so as to avoid collisions. 

Have a perfect understanding with the outfielder next 
to you that he will drop out if you notify him that you 
will take the catch. If you do not have such und'erstand- 
ing a collision will be one of the unfortunate after effects. 
Collisions in the outfield are followed by bad hurts too 
frequently. 

"I have it" should keep any ball player away from a 
fly hit except the man who has uttered the words. No 
fielder should shout, "I have it," after another has signi- 
fied his intention to catch the ball. Someone asks, "Sup- 
pose both outfielders should say the same thing at once ?" 
In that case the captain of the team should call at the 
top of his voice for one of the two players to take the 
ball. If not the captain, then the nearest infielder, but 
be sure that some one prevents a threatened collision 
between the outfielders. 

It is customary for the player who says, "I have it," 
to gesture with both arms to the right and to the left to 
warn other fielders away from him, and it is a good plan. 





Off the ground for a leaping one-hand catch. Snapped when the 
fielder tried for the ball and captured it, even though it was over 
his head. (Ross Youngs, Giants.) 

Photo by International Film Service. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 157 



Observe the Rules 

The rules of base ball were made to be observed. 

First know their contents thoroughly by reading thern 
Then observe them. 

Do not question the umpire unless you have authority 
to do so. It is true that some advocate a "little argu- 
ment" with the umpire in order that the spirit of the 
game may be maintained. A "little argument'' almost 
invariably leads to trouble. Only one person has any 
authority to address the umpire. He is the captain of 
the team and he is never permitted to question an um- 
pire's judgment. He may question that which seems to 
be a wrong interpretation of the rules. 

Never lose your temper in a base ball game. There is 
nothing which is more pleasing to the other side. If you 
cannot control your brain you cannot control your bat, 
and you will probably strike out or muff the ball. 

Never do anything to a ball player which might tend 
to injure him. Never do anything which you would con- 
sider to be a cowardly attack upon yourself. If you 
thought the other fellow a coward for doing that to you 
which you might do to another, what will you think of 
yourself? 

There are times in a ball game when a player is at a 
disadvantage because he is sliding, or has slipped to the 
ground, or something of that sort. If you deliberately 
harm him at a disadvantage you have lost all the good 
which the ball game was. supposed to do for you. A 
clean, hard, fair and square contest is base ball and good 



158 Spalding's Athletic Library 

sport, and anything which savors of muckerism is not 
sport. 

If you nag the umpire you forfeit any consideration 
at his hands. He has the right to remove you from the 
game. Your loss from your own team may cost them 
victory. When the game is over defeat stings and is 
remembered, but the umpire is only an incident of the 
contest and is forgotten long before the memory of de- 
feat has ceased to rankle. 

Never wilfully attempt to spike another ball player. 
Remember that the spirit of American sportsmanship is 
above that. 

Always remember that you are taking part in a game 
which is the national game of the United States, which is 
a democratic game, which is a healthful game and a 
sound game. American boys have a special mission to 
see that its standard is maintained. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 159 



Keeping in Condition 

Every ball player, from the boy to the man, should 
live a clean, wholesome life. The best physical results 
are obtained by faithful observance of everything which 
keeps the body in its best condition. Base ball is a 
splendid exercise of itself. Hence the ball player does 
not always find it necessary to go through any special 
system of exercises to keep his muscles pliable and 
ready to respond to the demands that are made upon 
them. There is no objection to taking exercises which 
are not too vigorous and which are health giving. They 
should not be overdone. Too much exercise in one way 
is wasteful if it is also too severe. 

The professional ball player goes away to train when 
the springtime comes. He takes unusual exercise then 
to rid himself of the stififness which results from the 
winter vacation and also to be free as quickly as pos- 
sible from the soreness and aching which follows when 
muscles that have not been vigorously used for a time" 
must be called back to fitness for daily ball playing. H 
you do not throw the ball for two or three months and 
then undertake to throw it, the next day there will be 
soreness in the shoulder and arm because the muscles 
have not been exerted freely for a long period previously. 
There is nothing harmful about such soreness. It is 
only the momentary complaint of the muscles after their 
term of idleness. However, in bringing them back to 
their highest stage of perfection, and to the point where 
they may be used freely every day without becoming 



160 Spalding's Athletic Library 

permanently sore, take care not to attempt too much at 
cnce. Enduring harm can always come from straining 
anything so delicately built as flesh tissue and tendons. 
Take it easy in the spring until the arm never feels the 
eflFect of a throw. When that happens physical condi- 
tion, so far as the muscles are concerned, will be good 
again. 

Boys and beginners may walk all they wish. There 
is no exercise which is better. It is mild and it is 
thorough. It is good for the legs and good for the 
wind. There is no harm in practising running, and when 
practising it remember that it is also good to practise 
starting quickly in conjunction with it. Line up on a 
mark and get one of the other boys to start you. When 
it is his turn to run let someone start him. Do not run 
long distances. Just sprint a little and then go back 
and try it over again. The more a quick start can be 
perfected the better it will be when ball playing begins. 
Many of the most brilliant plays in base ball are made 
as much because of a quick start as because of expert 
use of the hands. The point in fielding is to get on top 
of the hall as quickly as possible. This is well illustrated 
on the cover where Ty Cobb is shown starting for a 
line drive that is going to drop considerably in front 
of him. 

A full stomach means a slothful brain. 

Never overeat. Stuffing the stomach with food be- 
cause it tastes good, and after the natural appetite has 
been satisfied, is the worst thing that an athlete can do, 
and a ball player is an athlete in the full sense of the 



Spalding's Athletic Library 161 

word when it comes to eating. It is very bad policy to 
eat heartily and then try to play base ball. That applies 
to boys as much as it does to grown people. The stomach 
does not like to work when the legs and the arms are 
going at their best. All three of them in operation at 
once are a tax on the heart and the stomach will be 
the greatest sufferer. 

Natural ability is the first requisite of a ball player. 
He has no control over that. He is born with it. Im- 
provement follows by practise. All through this volume 
that fact has been impressed wherever it seemed to be 
timely. Condition is just as essential as practise. Keep 
the condition of muscles and tendons as perfect as pos- 
sible by working them out faithfully and gradually. 

Bad hours no aid to good athletics. 

It is a mistake to keep late hours at night and later 
hours the next morning. Many players do that. Such 
a course will bring about inactivity. If a player does 
not arise until well in the forenoon he barely is invig- 
orated before the game is to take place in the afternoon. 
If he follows his late rising with a heavy meal he will 
be slothful for practise in the afternoon, and if he 
undertakes to play without a good hustle on the field he 
will not play at his best. If that policy is continued, 
the player will drop down in the fight for base ball 
supremacy. Someone will rise up and take his place. 

Tobacco and stimulants are quite unnecessary. The 
latter are bad for any athlete. Cigarette smoking will 
surely harm the wind if cigarette smoke is inhaled. Too 
many good ball players have dropped out in recent years 
because they were confirmed smokers. 



162 Spalding's Athletic Library 

Diet is a matter of personal taste. Base ball is a 
steady performance of about six months for the profes- 
sional. To continue all of that period on a strict training 
diet without much variety would be as injurious as to 
indulge all of the time in those things which are not 
healthful. Fresh vegetables, well cooked, are always 
good, because base ball is a summer game. Too much 
meat is bad. It clogs the system, even with the exercise 
which is taken by a ball player. Steaks or chops two 
or three times a day are not good for athletes. 

Heavy mid-day meal a costly luxury. 

Avoid the heavy midday meal. It tasks the system 
too severely. Try a little appetizing soup, ice cream if 
the taste is inclined that way, no pastry, although pud- 
dings are harmless if well made, and some fruit is good 
if it is perfectly ripe. Stewed fruit is beneficial. If 
the player desires a hearty morning breakfast that is 
the more reason why he should retire early and arise 
early. 

To the boys and beginners who play ball once a week 
or so there is as much necessity of clean living. In the 
long run it will be found to pay with compound interest. 
The boy who goes through a ball game and comes out 
of it with a "fine, healthy tired" has profited by the 
game. The boy who drags through the game and who 
fails to arouse an appetite for healthy food after he 
has played is not giving his stomach a fair show. You 
can't play base ball well and treat the stomach and the 
remainder of the body unkindly. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 163 



Ground Rules 

It is very important to agree upon ground rules befon 
a game begins, especially when it is played on an oper. 
space like a park playground, for instance, where there 
is no fence or barrier. So many spectators go to base 
ball games in automobiles nowadays that many motor 
cars are often parked behind the bases, and it should be 
distinctly understood how many bases are to be taken 
if the ball goes beyond the coaching line into the crowd 
or into or among the automobiles. 

If the captains cannot agree upon ground rules, the 
unipire must make them. It is advisable for beginners in 
base ball, and for those who play upon grounds which 
are not enclosed, to have a fixed understanding as to the 
number of bases to be taken in case of an overthrow to 
first base or to third base. 

The rules say that in awarding bases under certain 
conditions the umpire shall be governed by the position 
of the runner, or runners, at the time the throw is made. 
In the games of beginners much controversy will be 
avoided if the captains of the teams state that an over- 
throw is to be followed by two bases or one base, as may 
be determined, the position of the runner being taken 
as that base which he held, or had just left, when the 
misplay was made. 

If a runner is on first base when a wild throw is made 
either to the first baseman or the third baseman, he 
should be given one base or two bases, as agreed upon, 
irrespective of whether he has started for second base, 



164 Spalding's Athletic Library 

or whether when the throw was made he was a step or 
two over second base, because he had started to steal that 
base with the pitch. This advice is offered as a sugges- 
tion to do away with argument and disagreement which 
follow almost inevitably when a dispute arises as to 
where a runner may have been. 

Players, captains and managers should read the 
"Knotty Problems" published each year in the Spalding 
Ofificial Base Ball Guide, and also in the book of the 
Spalding Athletic Library series called "Knotty Prob- 
lems," IMany contentions would be avoided and much 
useful base ball information would be gained. It is the 
kind of information which is valuable both on the field 
and off. 



Spalding's Athletic Library 165 

Books to Read 

As in every line of endeavor, whether in play or other- 
wise, information on any subject is now obtainable 
through books of instruction which will greatly help the 
seeker after knowledge. 

While this volume is devoted especially to the positions 
of the infield and the outfield, nevertheless it is important 
to know w^hat the duties of the other positions demand. 

As every player has to take his turn at bat, the Spald- 
ing Athletic Library, "How to Bat," will be found most 
useful. Every detail of the subject is clearly presented, 
with instructions for holding the bat and directions for 
play under varying circumstances. The price is 25 cents. 

Base-running is likewise a necessary accomplishment 
of every player. One may not be the swiftest runner 
but nevertheless be a successful base-runner by use of 
strategy and common sense. Heretofore base-running 
was treated of separately in the Spalding Athletic Library 
series, but Mr. John B. Foster's experience in answer- 
ing hundreds of "knotty problems" in connection with 
his duties as editor of the Spalding Guide emphasized 
the fact that the art of base-running was more closely 
related to the catcher's position than to that of any other 
on the defensive side of the game. To have a clear 
understanding of what to do under certain circumstances 
it is necessary to anticipate what the catcher purposes to 
do under similar conditions. For that reason one book 
now combines both subjects, in separate sections, but 
nevertheless so closely related that its utility will be at 
once apparent. 



166 Spalding's Athletic Library 

Mr. Foster, who compiled "How to Catch and Base- 
Running," was for years a New York sporting editor 
and traveled thousands of miles in that capacity with 
National and American League teams. He was for seven 
years secretary of the New York Giants, in daily contact 
with those master minds of base ball, John J. McGraw 
and Christy Mathewson, besides other players who have 
visited the Polo Grounds as players, and thus has had 
exceptional opportunities for acquiring at first hand all 
of the "inside" base ball that only daily intimate rela- 
tions would afford. That is why all of the Spalding 
books on base ball are so popular, because they present 
the best information that can be obtained. Price of 
"How to Catch and Run Bases," 25 cents. 

Although every boy does not become the pitcher of his 
nine, nevertheless it is safe to say that every boy wishes 
to know how to curve a ball. A. G. Spalding's reputa- 
tion as a ball player was made as a pitcher when but a 
lad of seventeen he pitched his team — the Forest City 
club of Rockford, Illinois — to victory over the famous 
Nationals of Washington in 1867. This was the begin- 
ning of a career as a pitcher which later brought him to 
the championshp teams of Boston and Chicago as a 
player and subsequently president of the Chicago base 
ball club and one of the founders of the National League. 
In "How to Pitch" is shown in a clear manner how to 
hold the fingers to produce the desired curves, in addi- 
tion to which much general advice is given on the duties 
of the position. Price 25 cents. 

Other interesting books in the base ball group are 
"Base Ball for Beginners," by John B. Sheridan, origina- 



Spalding's Athletic Library 167 

tor of the boys' size diamond, price 10 cents; "How to 
Play Base Ball," 10 cents, and "How to Manage, Coach 
and Captain a Team, How to Organize a League, and 
Technical Terms," 25 cents. 

Thousands of readers of the Spalding Guide read the 
"knotty problems," which are actual questions asked 
annually during the course of a season and answered by 
mail. Some are selected, for publication in the Guide, 
and later these and other important ones are printed in 
book form. "Knotty Problems" is undoubtedly of great 
help in solving many questions that arise in interpreting 
the intent of the rules. Price 25 cents. 




Every boy who wants 
to keep in touch 

with the latest ideas in equipment for 
his favorite game should send for a 
Spalding catalogue of the sport in which 
he may be most interested. 

Spalding catalogues are issued for Base 
Ball, Tennis, Golf, Foot Ball, Basket 
Ball, Winter Sports, Swimming and 
Track and Field. New articles are con- 
stantly being introduced and prices 
changed. State which catalogue you 
wish and to save time send your name 
to the nearest Spalding store (see list 
on inside front cover). 



ACCEPT NO 
SUBSTITUTE 



THE SPALDING I 



iTRAOriVIARK 




SPALDING INFIELDERS' GLOVES 

No. BBH. "Honor." All horseliide, 
special buck tanning, including full 
lining, making this really the most 
durably and "wearable" fielders' glove 
ever put out. Leather welted seams, 
Laced at heel » Each. $11.00 

No. BBl. "World Sfcries." Finest quality 

buckskin. Most qarefully constructed, 

being of good width and length, but not 

clumsy. Leather lined. Welted seams. 
Each, $10.00 
No. PXL. "ProfessionaL" Finest buck- 
skin obtainable. Heavily padded around 

edges and little finger. Extra long to 

protect the wrist. Leather lined. Welted 

seams Each. $9.50 

No. SS. "Short Finger." Otherwise same as No. PXL Each, $9.50 

No. XWL. "League Special." Specially tanned calfskin. E.\tra long to 

protect wrist. Leather lined. Welted seams Each, $9.50 

No. 2W. "Minor League." Smoked horsehide. Professional model; 

leather lined; laced at wrist; welted seams Each, $9.50 

No. 3X. "Semi-Pro." Gray buck tanned leather. A very large model. 

Correctly padded; welted seams Each, $9.00 

No. 2X. "City League." Olive grain leather, leather palm lining and felt 

back lining Each, $7.50 

No. XL. "Club Special." Special white tanned leather; laced at wrist 

to adjust padding; welted seams Each, $7.00 

No. 4X. "Match" Black leather, specially treated. Laced at wrist. 
Welted seams; leather lined Each, $6.50 

No. WW. "Wonder." Brown leather, full leather lined; welted seams 
and binding Each, $6.50 

No. MO. "Ours." Made of selected olive tanned leather, leather welt 

and binding Each, $5.50 

No. XS. "Practice." Good quality pearl tanned leather ; well finished ; 

welted seams Each, $5.00 

No. 15. "Regulation." Men's size. Olive tanned leather, padded; 

welted seams Each, $4.00 

No. 15R. "Regulation." Men's size. Olive tanned leather, laced at 

wrist for padding adjustment Each, $4.00 

No. 15W. "Mascot." Men's size. Oak colored leather " 3.50 

No. 13. "Interscholastic." Youths' size. Oak colored leather; palm 

leather lined Each. $3.00 

No. 14. "Favorite." Youths' size. Oak tanned leather; leather palm 

lining Each, $2.50 

No. 17. "Youths'." Good size; special brown tanned leather; nicely 

padded; palm leather lined Each, $2.00 

All of above gloves are made with Diverted Seam (Pat. March 10, 1908), and have 
web of leather between thumb and first finger which can be cut out if not required. 
Made in Rights and Leits. When ordering for left Handed Players Specify "Full Right." 



NOMPTtnENTIOIieiVENTOl 
m COHMIINICtllOM 



A.G.SPALDING & BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



fOR COMPUTE LIST OF STORES 
SEE INSIDE nOHT COVES 
OF THIS soot ■ 



PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANCE WITHOUT NOTICE. F.r c.udiu. price >» .pcci.i c.»*dUo cuiotu. 



«S:?JHESPALDINGI 



ITRADE-MARKTrrf 



SPALDING BASEMEN'S MITTS 




No. ABX. "Stick.on-the-Hand." 

_ — a-^^ '^^^ " Stick-on- the-Hand" construc- 

JPALDiHJj ^^f^ ^^^^ ^''^ prove of wonderful assist- 

AMt-ci>-t*'>- ^^ ance. Laced, except around thumb 

^ ^ and heel, leather lace; strap-and- 

buckle adjustment at thumb. 

Each, $14.00 

No. AXP. "World Series." Finest 
white tanned buck; leather lacing 
aroimd mitt, including thumb; strap - 
and-buckle fastening. King Patent 
Padding, enabling player to adjust pad- 
ding to suit himself Each, $13.00 

No. BXS. "League Special." Se- 

No. ABX lected brown calfskin, bound with 

brown leather. Leather laced, except heel; leather strap support at 

thumb ; strap-and-buckle fastening Each, $12.00 

No. BXB. "Well Broke." Brown horsehide, bound with leather. 
Leather laced, except thumb and heel. Strap-and-buckle adjustment at 
thumb Each, $10.00 

No. CXP. " Club Special." Specially selected brown leather face and back. 
Well padded, laced all around. Strap-and-buckle fastening Each, $9.00 

No. CD. "Red Oak." Oak colored leather with leather binding. Leather 
laced, except at thumb and heel, leather strap support at thumb. Strap- 
and-buckle fastening Each, $7.50 

No. ex. "Semi-Pro." Face of specially tanned smoke color leather, 
back of firm tanned brown leather, laced all around. Strap-and- 
buckle fastening Each, $6.00 

No. CXS. "Amateur." Special oak colored leather. Correctly 
padded; laced, except at heel. Strap-and-buckle fastening. Each, $5.00 

No. DX. "Double Play." Oak tanned leather; laced all around, 
except at heel. Strap-and-buckle fastening. Nicely padded. .Each, $4.00 

No. EX. "League Junior." Brown leather face, canvas back and 
inside palm. Laced, except at heel; padded Each, $3.50 

All Styles Made in Rights and Lefts 
When Ordering for Left Handed Players Specify "Full Right" 



PROMPT inENTION GIVEN TO I 

tNT COMMUNICITIONS 

lOORESSEO TO OS 



A. G.SPALDING & BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOR COMPtnEUST OF STORES 

SmNSlOE FRONT COVER 

OF THIS BOO! 



' PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. For Cu.dUu. pricu >« .pcci.i c>n.d>u> c*ui.|m 



ACCEPT NO 
SUBSTITUTE 



THE SPALDING I 



ITRADE-MARK^r, f 




SPALDING BASE BALL SHOES 

Sizes and Weights of No. FW Shoes 
Size of shoes 5 6 7 8 9 

Weight per pair l8oz 18Koz I9oz20oz2Io2 

The Lightest and Best Base Ball Shoes ever made. 

No. FW. "World Series." 

Kangaroo leather uppers, fin. 

est white oak leather soles. 

No. FW ' "^"^^^^1^^**^ Hand sewed, bench made; 

Featherweight ij^^ Strong, soft laces. Pair, $21.00 

jf^ III I ^*.*^^^f^^ ® .^^^'Ni. *' *^ suitable only for fastest players. 

k^% l?^K*A U V~N ^°- ^'-"P- Special Umpires' 

^fefe^'"\ 1^^m2* J C Z-1^ Shoes. Solid bo.x toe and out. 

'^^^pPwOi^l^ ^^;j:?=~^ side padded tongue. Uppers 

^^^*'— -^^•.j:-^^*-"' of selected leather, white oak 

leather soles, best base ball cleats. To order only Pair, $21.00 

No. 31CP. For Catchers, Otherwise same as No. 31UP. Special orders 
only Pair, $21.00 

No. OS. "Club Special" Sprinting. Carefully selected leather substan- 
tially constructed. Sprinting style flexible shank, (pat. oct. 9. isi?.) 

Pair, $10.50 

No. 35. "Amateur Special" Good qualit leather, machine sewed. 
Flexible shank, (Patented Oct, 9, 1917.) Pair, $8.00 

No. 39. "Public School." Leather shoes, made on regular base ball shoe 
last. Plates hand riveted to heels and soles Pair, $5.00 

SPALDING "WORLD SERIES" CATCHERS' 

Ree. U. S. Pat. Off. 

BODY PROTECTORS 

No. 5P. Padded style, not inflated. Patented June 22, 1909; August 
24, 1909. Canvas cover, laced at sides, permitting readjustment of pad- 
ding as desired. Special body strap Each, $13.00 

No. 4P. Padded style, not inflated. Similar to No. 5P, but closed at 
sides instead of laced Each, $9.50 

No. XP. Padded style, not inflated. Brown canvas covered. '• 7.00 

No. YP. Youths'. Ribbed and padded style, not inflated. Brown 
canvas covered Each, $4.00 

No.f 2Y. Padded style, good size. Well made " 2.50 



PIONPT tmNTION cin* TO 

m COMMUmCtTIONS 
" ADDRESSED TO US 


A. G.SPALDING & BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 


FimCOIIIPUU LIST OF STORES 

SEE INSIOE FRONT CDVEK 

OF THIS Boot 



PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE For c<i>«li«> pricM »e .ped.1 Cu-dUn (Uulopi. 



SPALDING 
OFFICIAL 



When you want the real thing in 
Sport equipment you instinctively 
think of "Spalding" 



] 



i^ 




Spalding Official National League Base Ball 

Official ball National League and World Series 

Spalding Official Lawn Tennis j^all 

TWO-PIECE-PLUGLESS. Official ballNationaf 
Clay Court Championships '7 

Spalding Official No. J5 Foot Ball 

Official ball Army and Navy game and all of the * 
leading College contests 

Spalding Official No. G Soccer Foot Ball 

Official ball U. S. F. A. Championships 

Spalding Official No. M Basket Ball 

Official ball Intercollegiate Basket Ball Association 

Spalding Official Athletic Equipment 

Used in Olympic Games, A. A. U. and Intercolle- 
giate Championships 



"Spalding" and "Satisfaction" are synonymous 
Insist upon seeing the Spalding Trade Mark 





Illlllllllllllllllllllllllllllillllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllilllllllllllllillllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll^ 

You don't ^'pay for the name," as 
some dealers who are after larger 
profits occasionally assert. You 
pay for — and get — Satisfaction. 
The Name, as evidenced in 
the Spalding Trade Mark, is a 
guarantee that you get what you 
pay for. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

I llllll Mill lllll lllll lllll lllll Hill Hill lllll lllll mil nil nil 




^, 005 900 648 4 # I {- 

Official and Standard 



.* 1 







ATHLETIC 





are the 

Standard 
of the 
World 



Maintain Wholesale aad Retail Stores in \ht> following Citiea 



New York 

Newark 

Philadelphia 

Boston 

Pittsburgh 

Buffalo 

Syracuse 

Rochester 

Albany 



Baltimore 

Washington 

Atlanta 

New Orleans 

Dallas 

Cleveland 

Cincinnati 

Columbus 

Indianapolis 



Chicago 
St. Louis 
Detroit 
Louisville 
Milwaukee 
Kansas City 
Des Moi'nes 
Minneapolis 
St. Paul 



London, England 
Liverpool, England 
Manchester, England 
Birmingham, England 
Bristol, England 
Edinburgh, Scotland 
Glasgow, Scotland 



San Frandsco 

Oakland 

Los Angeles 

Denver 

Salt Lake City 

Seattle 

Portland, Ore. 

Montreal, Canada Sydney, Australia 
Toronto, Canada Paris, France 




Factories owned and operated by A. G. Spa ding «c Bros.. 
and where all of Spalding's Trade-Marked Athletic 
Goods are made, are located in the following cities 



New York Chicago San Francisco 
Brooklyn Philadelphia 

Boston Chicopee, Mas*. 



London, England 
Leeds, England 
Brantford, Canada^ 




